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DRAMA  I  NTH  EWORLD 

THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 


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THE  OLDEST  DRAMA 

IN  THE  WORLD 

THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

ARRANGED  IN  DRAMA  TIC  FORM  WITH  ELUCIDATIONS 

By    REV.    ALFRED    WALLS 


WITH  A  PREFATORY  NOTE 
BY    HENRY    A.    BUTTZ,    D.D.,    LL.D. 

President  of  Drew  Theological  Seminary 


NEW  YORK:  HUNT  &*  BATON 

CINCINNATI:   CRANSTON  dr»  STOWE 

1891 


Copyright,  t8qi,  by 

HUNT    &     EATON 

New  York. 


PREFATORY  NOTE. 


TT    affords  me   pleasure   to  commend  to  the  reader  the 
valuable  work  of   Rev.   Alfred  Walls   on   the  Book 
of  Job. 

The  Book  of  Job  is  worthy  of  reading  with  deepest 
interest  in  any  form  as  a  part  of  the  sacred  Scriptures,  but 
Mr.  Walls  has  given  to  the  whole  narrative  a  vividness 
which  adds  greatly  to  the  interest  of  the  reader.  While 
many  may  take  exception  to  the  dramatic  form  in  which 
it  has  been  cast  by  the  editor,  all  will  agree  that  the  mode 
of  presentation  is  unique  and  worthy  of  careful  attention. 
Some  will  read  this  work  for  the  peculiarity  of  its  setting ; 
all  should  read  it  for  the  interest  and  instruction  it  affords. 

Henry  A.  Buttz. 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 


Prefatory  Note,         .         .         .         .         .         ...         3 

The  Oldest  Drama  in  the  World,     .         .         .  7 

Analysis,       .         .         .         .         .         .  .         .17 

Act  I, 21 

Act  II, 24 

Act  III, 26 

Act  IV, 89 

Act  V, 103 

Appendix  I.     Textual  Changes,        .         .         .         .118 
Appendix  II.     Bibliography,  .         .         .         .  122 


THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 


'T'HE  Book  of  Job  is  a  literary  treasure-honse !  Where 
can  its  magnificent  soliloquies,  its  prayers,  and  its 
varied  descriptions  be  equaled?  The  soliloquies  are  the 
finest  in  literature ;  the  descriptions  are  unique  ;  the  prayers 
are  from  the  breaking  heart. 

There  is  enough  in  this  drama  to  fire  the  enthusiasm  of 
genius.  It  is  the  very  thesaurus  of  elocutionists.  There 
are  parts  which,  rendered  with  impassioned  voice  and 
action,  thrill  us  from  head  to  foot.  The  Booths,  Gar- 
rick,  Kemble,  and  Irving  never  found  richer  material. 
Here  can  be  seen  and  heard  the  absorbed  expression  of 
soliloquy,  the  stir  of  refutation,  the  voice  and  attitudes 
of  petition  when  it  has  become  desperation. 

Imagery  revels  upon  its  chaste  pages,  and  pictorial  ideas 
are  strewn  freely  before  the  reader.  Nature  and  thought, 
space  and  stars  are  laid  under  tribute  by  the  actors.  •Ob- 
jects far  and  near  move  in  panoramic  gloom  or  splendor; 
birds  build  their  nests  or  soar  heavenward ;  lions  spring 
upon  their  prey ;  "Aha ! "  snorts  the  war-horse  at  the 
voice  of  the  trumpet;  leviathan  trails  behind  him  his 
shining  wake;  clouds  drop  their  rain  or  are  turned  here 
and  there  at  the  behest  of  God;  the  pillars  of  heaven 
tremble ;  the  foundation  of  the  earth  is  laid,  and  the  line 
is  stretched  upon  it ;  rains  descend,  floods  destroy,  light- 
nings flash,  and  thunders  roar;  seas  cover  the  trembling- 
dead,  and  constellations  are  led  forth.     What  can  equal  the 


8  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  TEE  WOULD. 

grandeur  of  the  bursting  storm  in  Act  IV,  of  Job's  stoi- 
cism there,  and  Elihu's  terrified  expressions?  Especially  in 
the  last  act  God  speaks  from  above  the  scenes  with  incom- 
parable sublimity. 

If  we  judge  the  Book  of  Job  by  a  purely  literary  stand- 
ard, two  of  the  dramatis  personm  are,  indeed,  daring 
creations — these  are  God  and  Satan. 

Job. 

The  book  has  but  one  great  human  character;  it  bears 
his  name.  Compare  Job  with  a  Hamlet,  a  Richard  the 
Third,  or  a  Lear;  he  is  more  sharply  defined  than  any. 
Job  is  a  masterpiece.  He  bears  the  theme  of  the  book  in 
himself.  There  is  not  a  moment,  from  the  beginning  to 
the  end  of  the  drama,  from  the  first  words  of  the  prologue 
to  the  last  words  of  the  epilogue,  that  he  does  not  engage 
our  sympathy  and  command  our  thought.  The  three 
friends  and  Elihu  are  expedients  to  keep  our  interest  upon 
the  hero  of  the  solitary  struggle — a  struggle  in  which  he  is 
beset  by  his  disease,  by  his  memory  of  better  days,  by  the 
loss  of  property  and  children,  by  his  conviction  that  God 
has  been  unjust  to  him  and  has  deserted  him,  by  his  isola- 
tion "from  all  friends  who  understand  him,  by  the  horror 
every  innocent  man  must  feel  of  going  down  to  death 
with  a  pure  character  and  an  outcast's  name. 

The  Three  Friends. 

Why  do  Job's  friends  importune  him  so  often  and  so 
persistently?  Because  they  are  not  common  friends. 
Seven  days  and  seven  nights  they  watch  his  silent  grief, 
and  with  wonderful  etiquette  do  not  speak  to  him.  After- 
ward, in  seven  scenes,  they  implore  him  to  repent  of  the 
sins  which  their  theology  forces  them  to  believe  he  has 


THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD.  9 

committed.  Amid  all  their  confusion  and  their  irrita- 
bility they  cannot  let  him  suffer  on  so  long  as  they  believe 
they  can  persuade  him  to  repent  and  thus  behold  his 
restoration  to  health  and  prosperity.  Job  having  done  no 
evil  can  repent  of  none.  O  rare  but  misguided  friends ! 
They  pursue  him  not  that  they  may  hurt,  but  that  they 
may  save  him. 

Elihu. 

Elihu  steps  forward  as  a  mediator,  but  he  retires  appar- 
ently unsuccessful. 

Objection. 

The  mistaken  objection  that  the  Book  of  Job  is  not  a 
drama  may  arise  from  the  fact  that  in  other  dramas  the 
conversational  part  allotted  to  each  actor  is  much  briefer 
than  the  long  speeches  of  Job  and  his  friends.  A  man 
crushed  by  tremendous  losses  and  sorrow  and  physical  tor- 
ment, whose  very  bones  were  burning  with  heat  and  racked 
with  pain,  would  scarcely  speak  with  conversational  brev- 
ity; on  the  contrary,  after  seven  days  and  seven  nights  of 
speechless  grief,  his  agonized  utterance,  would  burst  forth 
in  a  flood ;  should  a  friend  then  unjustly  accuse  him,  he 
would  rouse  himself  to  prolonged  and  plaintive  remon- 
strance, mingled  with  entreaty,  accusations,  warnings, 
argument,  and  personal  defense. 

The  speeches  of  Job's  friends  are  natural,  though  they 
are  highly  wrought.  Expostulation  with  an  alert  and 
healthy  offender  might  be  less  lengthy,  but  discourse  is 
longer  with  the  helpless  who  are  supposed  to  be  culpably 
unfortunate.  It  is  noticeable  that  the  utterances  of  the 
three  friends,  and  of  Elihu,  are  not  argument  only,  or 
views  merely;  they  criminate,  they  suggest,  they  entreat, 
they  warn,  they  betray  personal  irritability. 


in  THE  OLDEST  1>  11 AM A  IX  THE  W0I2LB. 

This  composition  is  mure  than  a  colloquy  or  a  philo- 
sophical expression  of  views,  for  Job  and  his  friends  are 
represented  as  actually  suffering,  as  censuring  a  person 
present.  Job  suffers  before  their  eyes.  Their  speech  is 
often  aimed  directly  at  him.  He  answers  from  the  midst 
of  his  woes.  Job  differs,  intrinsically,  from  all  other 
dramas,  because  no  other  exhibits  such  scenes. 

The  author  ranks  above  Shakespeare,  Kacine,  Moliere, 
<>r  Goethe;  and  he  probably  wrote  before  the  Greek 
founders  of  tragedy  and  comedy  were  born.  Shakespeare 
is  the  loftiest  of  our  modern  dramatic  peaks,  but  beyond 
him,  and  remote,  with  massive  top  bathed  in  the  morning 
light  of  antiquity  and  inspiration,  stands  a  loftier  summit. 
It  is  probable  nature  never  will  upheave  another  such  em- 
inence.    Well,  then, 

Who  Wrote  the  Drama? 
Strange  to  say,  no  one  knows.  Some  critics  suppose 
that  it  is  one  of  the  works  of  that  Solomon  the  kino: 
whose  proverbs  were  three  thousand,  and  whose  songs 
were  a  thousand  and  five.  Other  scholars  say  that  it  is 
one  of  the  works  of  the  same  Moses  who  wrote  the  Penta- 
teuch ;  that  he  wrote  it  during  his  forty  years  of  shepherd 
life,  to  which  he  fled  with  a  trained  mind  and  a  love  for 
letters.  Others  hold  that  Job  himself  or  one  of  the 
prophets  wrote  it.     We  are  unaware,  consequently, 

When  it  was  Written. 
The  drama  is  historical,  doubtless  founded  upon  the 
sufferings  of  a  real  Job  in  the  land  of  Uz.  Unquestion- 
ably written  between  the  time  of  Moses  and  one  thousand 
years  later,  yet  in  that  millennium  it  is  impossible  to  fix  any 
century  to  which  it  belongs.  No  historical  fact  is  more 
assured  than   that  the  book  existed  at  least  five  hundred 


THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE   WOULD. 


years  before   Mary,  in  the   stable  at  Bethlehem,    looked 
upon  the  face  of  her  immortal  Son. 

Where  was  it  Written  ? 

This  also  has  not  been  determined  with  certainty,  but  as 
it  was  written  in  the  Hebrew  language,  and  found  among 
the  Hebrew  Scriptures,  and  quoted  by  Hebrew  writers, 
we  may  conjecture  fairly  it  was  written  in,  or  not  far  from, 
Palestine.  As  "  the  language  approximates  more  closely 
to  Arabic  than  that  of  any  other  Hebrew  work,  and  is 
replete  with  Chaldaisms,"  Arabia  or  Chaldea  may  have 
been  the  home  of  the  author  who  wrote  it.  But  the  book 
is  with  us,  and  not  a  jot  the  worse  for  its  unknown  author- 
ship, for  its  unknown  birthplace,  and  for  its  unknown 
date. 

The  Theme  is  Divine  Providence. 

It  is  the  only  book  in  the  Bible  so  entirely  devoted  to 
the  subject  of  divine  providence ;  and  as  the  subject  is 
the  profoundest  of  subjects,  the  drama  is  the  profoundest 
of  dramas. 

The  author  was  doubtless  prompted  to  write  the  drama 
against  the  prevailing  error  in  even  the  trained  minds  of 
his  time,  which  was  probably  long  after  Job's  day.  The 
representatives  of  the  false  doctrine  are  Job's  three  friends. 

The  arguments  of  Eliphaz,  Bildad,  and  Zophar  are 
summed  up  in  this :  Affliction  is  sent  only  upon  the 
wicked.  These  friends  believe  Job  to  have  been  wicked 
secretly.  Elihu  presents  a  broader  view — that  God  some- 
times afflicts  men  for  their  good  (yet  Elihu,  too,  unfortu- 
nately, believes  Job  to  be  guilty).  Job  refutes  the  super- 
ficial error  of  the  three,  but  will  not,  or  cannot,  answer 
the  more  advanced  argument  of  Elihu. 

God  speaks  in  the  last  act,  but  he  does  not  explain  his 


12  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA   AY  THE   WOULD. 


providence.  Yet  Act  V,  Scenes  I,  II,  is  more  than  sarcasm 
and  a  declaration  of  power.  These  are  declarations  con- 
cerning his  creation — another  form  of  the  same  lesson 
which  Christ  gave  in  his  Sermon  on  the  Mount:  If  God 
so  clothe  the  grass  and  the  lily  and  feed  the  birds,  he  will 
care  for  human  creatures  who  serve  him. 

God  leaves  many  questions  unanswered,  and  neither 
does  he  in  this  drama,  nor  does  Christ  in  his  Sermon  on 
the  Mount,  reveal  their  answer. 

The  writer  is  zealous  to  show  us  that  the  ills  inflicted 
upon  Job  were  of  Satan.  The  Lord  neither  robbed  him 
of  his  property,  nor  killed  his  children,  nor  smote  his 
body.  God's  part  in  this  drama  is  beneficent.  He  de- 
stroys nothing.  He  gave  Job  twice  as  much  as  he  had 
lost. 

Job's  deliverance  is  signal  and  beautiful. 

God  did  not  abandon  Job ;  he  only  permitted  him  to  be 
severely  tried — the  drama  is  not  a  heartless  tragedy. 

Jon's  Trial. 

Perhaps,  with  one  exception,  no  such  trial  has  ever  been 
recorded. 

The  woes  of  Job  are  dreadful  to  contemplate. 

Poor  lone  Job !  He  descends  the  steps  of  hope,  flight 
after  flight.  He  feels  himself  descending.  Faith  shines 
by  instants  only.  It  is  life  and  death,  up  and  down,  rays 
and  gloom,  then  total  blackness.  He  struggles  hard,  then 
gives  up;  struggles  again,  and  loses  heart.  lie  entreats 
his  friends  for  sympathy,  then  drives  them  away.  He  is 
a  bird  without  a  song,  a  wrorld  without  a  sun  ! 

Job's  struggle  was  upward.  His  physical  condition  had 
much  to  do  with  his  irritable  temper.  He  took  no  wicked 
pleasure  in  accusing  God.     When  despair  flung  him  to  the 


THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD.  13 

earth  his  longing  heart  ever  clamored  after  the  Being  to 
whom  he  had  often  sacrificed  ;  he  still  loved  the  favor 
of  God,  and  his  averted  face  filled  his  soul  with  death. 
Satan  and  misguided  good  men  could  not  destroy  his 
love  for  integrity,  or  by  accusation  cause  him  to  con- 
fess fellowship  with  guilt.  Job  was  an  imprisoned  bird, 
whose  wings  were  weak  not  because  they  were  unused  ; 
they  were  un feathered  and  sore  from  ceaseless  beatings 
against  the  wires  which  kept  them  from  flying  up  toward 
God. 

Over-zealous  good  men  did  what  Satan  had  not  done 
without  them ;  they  augmented  his  affliction  and  his  de- 
spair, and  with  good  intentions  turned  the  scale.  Re- 
bellious words  against  God  do  not  come  forth  until  he  is 
seated  with  the  three  friends  before  him,  and  is  tested  by 
the  slow  fires  of  their  suspicion. 

Job,  when  he  was  in  trouble,  did  not  foresee  the  last 
scene  or  read  the  epilogue  of  this  drama.  He  did  not  hear 
fourteen  thousand  sheep  bleating  in  his  vast  folds ;  nor  see 
six  thousand  she-asses  bearing  his  burdens,  and  filling  his 
dairies,  or  grazing  in  his  meadows ;  nor  one  thousand  oxen 
plowing  his  fields,  or  treading  out  his  enormous  harvests ; 
nor  six  thousand  camels  swinging  rapidly  across  the  deserts, 
re-exalting  his  influence  and  re-extending  his  traffic  to  many 
lands  ;  nor  dream  of  the  joyous  shouts  of  his  multitudes  of 
shepherds  and  herdmen  and  drivers  and  tillers  of  his  soil ; 
nor  see  in  his  house  the  richly  clad  servants  who  were  to 
await,  in  silence,  his  lordly  commands.  He  did  not  see 
the  graceful  forms  of  Jemimah,  Keziah,  and  Keren-hap- 
puch  moving  about  his  parlors,  and  the  pillars  of  his 
temple-home,  his  seven  stalwart  and  godly  sons.  His  wife 
and  servants  were  yet  driven  away  by  his  loathsomeness. 
He  was  in  the  bottom  of  a  pit  never  penetrated  by  star- 


14      THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 

light !  Only  at  times  his  vista  held  a  bright  vision.  Job 
was  yet  a  wail — a  sob  ! 

The  crisis  turns  favorably  while  Job  prays  for  his  friends. 
From  that  moment  he  begyis  to  emerge  from  his  desola- 
tion. He  leaves  the  ash-heap,  the  potsherd,  and  the  sack- 
cloth forever.  He  walks  into  his  life  again  with  one  hun- 
dred and  forty  happy  years  before  him. 

It  is  interesting  to  notice  that  God  did  not  tell  Job  he 
would  grant  him  prosperity  ;  from  the  drama  also  it  is  impos- 
sible to  think  that  Job  was  ever  told  of  the  interviews  with 
that  malignant  being  who  primarily  caused  all  his  sorrows. 

There  is  an  Arabian  legend  which  says  that  Job  suffered 
seven  years. 

The  rulers  of  heaven  and  hell  watched  him  in  his  misery. 

The  Scenes. 
Bible  scholars  have  long  agreed  that  the  controversies, 
prayer,  and  soliloquies  in  Acts  III  and  IV  could  not  have 
occurred  at  one  sitting.  I  have  taken  the  liberty  to  ar- 
range them  as  they  are  found  in  the  several  scenes  of  this 
book.  In  fixing  nearly  all  the  scenes  plausibility  has  been 
almost  my  only  determinative.  However,  I  think  it  is 
certain  that  Scene  I,  Act  I,  and  Scene  I,  Act  II,  are  not  in 
heaven,  but  on  the  earth.  The  expression  "  sons  of  God" 
refers  to  good  men,  and  not  to  angels  or  to  heavenly  coun- 
cillors. (See  also  Gen.  vi,  4.)  It  is  improbable  that  Satan, 
or  any  evil  being,  could  so  wantonly  invade  heaven  on  any 
evil  errand.  So  far  as  I  know  the  arrangement  in  dramatic 
form  which  follows  is  the  first  since  the  drama  was  writ- 
ten upon  the  scroll  of  its  unknown  author. 

Textual  Changes. 
The  changes   made  in  the  text  are  not  mine,  but  are 
those  suggested  by  the  American  Old  Testament  Revisers. 


THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD.  15 

The  changes  are  printed  separately  in  this  book,  and  may 
be  examined  by  all — the  new  version  in  hand. 

The  Bibliography 

has  been  expressly  prepared  for  "  The  Oldest  Drama  in  the 
World  "  by  the  Rev.  S.  G.  Ayres,  Assistant  Librarian  of 
Drew  Theological  Seminary.     It  is  given  in  an  appendix. 

Alfred  Walls. 

Drew  Theological  Seminary,  Madison,  N.  J. 


ANALYSIS 


THE  Book  of  Job  is  about  as  long  as  Shakespeare's 
u  Hamlet."  Like  that  drama  it  has  five  acts,  which 
are  arranged  in  twenty-one  scenes  : 

Prologue  :  Jojb.     (Chapter  i,  1-5.) 
Act  I.    (Chapter  i,  6-22.) 

Scene  I.     Interview  between  God  and   Satan  concerning 

Job. 
Scene  II     Result  of  interview — Job's  loss  of  property  and 

children  announced  by  four  messengers. 
Scene  III.     Result  of  announcement — Job  worships. 

Act  II.     (Chapter  ii,  1-10.) 

Scene  I.  Second  interview  between  God  and  Satan  con- 
cerning Job. 

Scene  II.  Result  of  second  interview — Job  appears,  smit- 
ten with  boils — Job's  wife  speaks. 

Act  III.     (Chapter  ii,  11-xxxii,  1.) 

Prologue:   Eliphaz,  Bildad,  and  Zophar. 

Scenes  I. — X.  The  appearance  of  the  three  friends.  They 
sit  with  him  upon  the  ground  seven  days  and  seven 
nights.  After  Job  has  spoken,  Eliphaz  begins  the  con- 
troversy. The  friends  appear  in  nine  of  the  ten  scenes 
of  this  act,  in  seven  of  which  they  are,  for  a  short  time, 
in  controversy  with  Job.  They  believe  he  must  have 
sinned  or  such  evil  could  not  have  come  upon  him. 


18  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IX  THE  WORLD. 

They  urge  him  to  repent  that  he  may  be  restored  to 
prosperity.     He  stoutly  disclaims  any  offense  against 
God. 
This  act  also  exhibits  a  frightful  struggle  of  the   soul 
against  despair. 

Act  IV.     (Chapter  xxxii,  2-xxxvii,  24.) 

Prologue  :  Elihu. 

Scene  I.  Elihu  appears ;  rebukes  the  three  and  Job — He 
urges  Job  to  repent,  and  endeavors  to  overthrow  some 
statements  Job  has  made  in  Act  III. 

Scene  II  Elihu  alone  remains  with  Job  during  a  terrible 
storm,  still  urging  him  to  repent 

Act  Y.     (Chapter  xxxviii-xlii,  11.) 

Scenes  I  and  II.     God  speaks,  and   humbles  Job  by  the 

declaration  of  his  wisdom  and  power. 
Scene  III     God  rebukes  Eliphaz. 

PoSTLOGUE. 

Scene  IV.     Job  in  prosperity,  surrounded  by  his  friends. 

Epilogue.     (Chapter  xlii,  12-17.) 

The  opening  Prologue  and  the  Epilogue  are,  of  course, 
extremes,  the  latter  representing  Job  twice  as  prosperous 
as  before  his  affliction.  The  Epilogue  is  a  blast  of  trum- 
pets. 


DRAMATIS    PERSON/E. 


(  Three  friends  of 
C  Job. 


The  Lord. 

Satan. 

Job,  a  wealthy  Sheik. 

Job's  Wife. 

Eliphaz,  prince  and  scholar  of  Teman, 

Bildad,  prince  and  scholar  of  Shu  ah, 

Zophar,  prince  and  scholar  of  Naamah, 

Elihu,  a  young  prince  and  scholar  of  Buz. 

Field-hand,  ] 

Shepherd, 

_.  >  r  our  messengers. 

Drover,  & 

Household  Servant,  J 

Sons  of   God  (human  worshipers),  Job's    brethren,  sisters, 

and  acquaintance. 


PROLOGUE. 

P II  ERE  was  a  man  in  the  land  of  Uz,  whose  name  was 
Job  ;  and  that  man  was  perfect  and  upright,  and  one 
that  feared  God,  and  turned  away  from  evil. 

And  there  were  born  unto  him  seven  sons  and  three 
daughters. 

His  substance  also  was  seven  thousand  sheep,  and  three 
thousand  camels,  and  five  hundred  yoke  of  oxen,  and  live 
hundred  she-asses,  and  a  very  great  household  ;  so  that  this 
man  was  the  greatest  of  all  the  children  of  the  East. 

And  his  sons  went  and  held  a  feast  in  the  house  of  each 
one  upon  his  day  ;  and  they  sent  and  called  for  their  three 
sisters  to  eat  and  to  drink  with  them. 

And  it  was  so,  when  the  days  of  their  feasting  were 
gone  about,  that  Job  sent  and  sanctified  them,  and  rose 
up  early  in  the  morning,  and  offered  burnt-offerings  ac- 
cording to  the  number  of  them  all :  for  Job  said,  "It  may 
be  that  my  sons  have  sinned,  and  renounced  God  in  their 
hearts."     Thus  did  Job  continually. 


ACT  I.     SCENE  I.  21 


ACT    I. 

Scene  I.     A  Place  of  Worship :    Worshipers  Assembled.1 
Enter  Satan.2 

The  Lord?  Whence  comest  thou  ? 

Satan}  From  going  to  and  fro  in  the  earth, 
And  from  walking  up  and  down  in  it. 

The  Lord?  Hast  thou  considered  my  servant  Job  ? 
For  there  is  none  like  him  in  the  earth, 
A  perfect  and  an  upright  man, 
One  that  feareth  God  and  turneth  away 
From  evil. 

Satan^  Doth  Job  fear  God  for  nought  ? 
Hast  thou  not  made  an  hedge  about  him, 
And  about  his  house, 

And  about  all  that  he  hath,  on  every  side  ? 
Thou  hast  blessed  the  work  of  his  hands,  and 
His  substance  is  increased  in  the  land. 
But  put  forth  tli in e  hand  now, 
And  touch  all  that  he  hath,  and 
He  will  renounce  thee  to  thy  face. 

The  Lord?  Behold,  all  that  he  hath 
Is  in  thy  power ;  only  upon  himself 
Put  not  forth  thine  hand. 
[Exit  Satan,5  the  viorshipers  still  unconscious  of  his  visit.] 


1  "  Now  it  came  to  pass  on  the  day,  when  the  sons  of  God  came  to  present  them- 
selves before  the  Lord," 

2  "  That  Satan  came  also  among  them." 

3  "  And  the  Lord  said  unto  Satan,"  etc. 

4  "  Then  Satan  answered  the  Lord,  and  said,"  etc. 

5  "  So  Satan  went  forth  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord." 


22  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 


Scene  II.     Probably  in  Job's  House. 

Job  sitting  quietly  in  magnificence.      A    storm  passing 

away.1 

Enter  First  Messenger.2 

First  Messenger.  The  oxen  were  plowing, 
And  the  asses  feeding  beside  them  :  and 
The  Sabeans  fell  upon  them, 
And  took  them  away ; 

Yea,  they  have  slain  the  servants  with  the  edge  of   the 
sword  ;  [Enter  /Second  Messenger.3 

And  I  only  am  escaped  alone  to  tell  thee. 

Second  Messenger.  The  fire  of  God  is  fallen  from  heaven, 
And  hath  burned  up  the  sheep,  and 
The  servants,  and  consumed  them ; 

[Enter  Third  Messenger3 
And  I  only  am  escaped  alone  to  tell  thee. 

Third  Messenger.    The  Chaldeans  made  three  bands,  and 
Fell  upon  the  camels, 
And  have  taken  them  away, 
Yea,  and  slain  the  servants  with  the  edge  of  the  sword ; 

[Enter  Fourth  Messenger* 
And  I  only  am  escaped  alone  to  tell  thee. 


1  The  messengers  in  this  scene  enter  in  great  excitement  and  drenched  with 
rain  by  the  storm  through  which  they  came.  The  fire  from  heaven,  which  con- 
sumed the  sheep,  and  the  wind  from  the  wilderness,  which  smote  the  four  comers 
of  the  house,  were  perhaps  the  lightning  and  the  cyclone  of  one  storm. — A.  W. 

2 "  And  it  fell  on  a  day  when  his  sons  and  his  daughters  were  eating  and  drink- 
ing wine  in  their  eldest  brother's  house,  that  there  came  a  messenger  unto  Job, 
and  said,"  etc. 

a  "  While  he  was  yet  speaking,  there  came  also  another,  and  said,"  etc. 


A  CT  1.     SCENE  III  23 

Fourth  Messenger.  Thy  sons  and  thy  daughters 
Were  eating  and  drinking  wine 
In  their  eldest  brothers  house : 
And,  behold,  there  came  a  great  wind 
From  the  wilderness, 
And  smote  the  four  corners  of  the  house, 
And  it  fell  upon  the  young  men,  and  they  are  dead  ; 
And  I  only  am  escaped  alone  to  tell  thee.  \_Exeunt. 


Scene  III.     On  JoVs  Grounds. 

Enter  Job,  having  rent  his  mantle  and  shaved  his  head. 
He  prostrates  himself  in  deep  dejection.1 

Job.  Naked  came  I  out  of  my  mother's  womb, 
And  naked  shall  I  return  thither : 

[Then,  trustfully. 
The  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away ; 
Blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

[End  of  Act  I. 

In  all  this  Job  sinned  not: 
Nor  charged  God  foolishly. 


1  "  Then  Job  arose,  and  rent  his  rnantle,  and  shaved  his  head,  and  fell  down 
upon  the  ground,  and  worshiped  ;  and  he  said,"  etc. 


34 


THE  OLDEST  DIIAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 


ACT    II. 

Scene  I.     A  Place  of  Worship :    ]Y or  shipers1  Assembled. 
Enter2  Satan. 

The  Lord.2  Whence  comest  thou  ? 

Satan}  From  going  to  and  fro  in  the  earth, 
And  from  walking  up  and  down  in  it. 

The  Lord?  Hast  thou  considered  my  servant  Job  ? 
For  there  is  none  like  him  in  the  earth, 
A  perfect  and  an  upright  man, 
One  that  feareth  God,  and 
Turneth  away  from  evil :  and  he 
Still  holdetli  fast  his  integrity, 


1  "Again  it  came  to  pass  on  the  day  when  the  sons  of  God  came  to  present 
themselves  before  the  Lord, 

2  "  That  Satan  came  also  among  them  to  present  himself  before  the  Lord. 
>  "And  the  Lord  said  unto  Satan,"  etc. 

4  "  And  Satan  answered  the  Lord,  and  said,"  etc. 


ACT  TT.     SCENE  11. 


Although  thou  movedst  me  against  him, 
To  destroy  him  without  cause. 

Satan}  Skin  for  skin,  yea,  all  that  a  man  hath 
Will  he  give  for  his  life. 
But  put  forth  thine  hand  now,  and  touch 
His  bone  and  his  flesh, 
And  he  will  renounce  thee  to  thy  face. 

The  Lord?    Behold  he  is  in  thine  hand  ;    only  spare  his 
life. 
[Exit  Satan,3  worshipers  unconscious  of  his  visit,  as  before. 


Scene  II.     Near  JoVs  House. 

Job  sitting  in  ashes  and  scraping  himself  with  a  potsherd} 
Job's  wife  appears. 

Job's  wife.5  Dost  thou  still  retain  thine  integrity  ? 
Renounce  God,  and  die. 

Job.6  Thou  speakest  as  one  of  the  foolish 
Women  speaketh. 
What  ?  shall  we  receive  good 
At  the  hand  of  God,  and  shall  we  not  receive  evil  ? 

[Exeunt. 

In  all  this  did  not  Job  sin  with  his  lips. 


1  "  And  Satan  answered  the  Lord,  and  said,"  etc. 
a "  And  the  Lord  said  unto  Satan,"  etc. 

3  "So  Satan  went  forth  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord, 

And  smote  Job  with  sore  boils  from  the  sole  of  his  foot  unto  his  crown." 

4  "  And  he  took  a  potsherd  to  scrape  himself  withal ; 

And  he  sat  among  the  ashes." 
5 "Then  said  his  wife  unto  him,"  etc. 
6 "  But  he  said  unto  her,"  etc. 


26  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 


PROLOGUE  TO  ACT  III. 

[MOW  when  Job's  three  friends  heard  of  all  this  evii 

That  was  come  upon  him, 
They  came  every  one  from  his  own  place ; 
Eliphaz  the  Temanite,  Bildad  the  Shuhite,  and 
Zophar  the  Naamathite: 
And  they  made  an  appointment  together 
Tu  come  to  bemoan  him  and  to  comfort  him. 


ACT  III.     SCENES  I  AND  II.  27 


ACT    III. 

Scene  I.     Open  Country.     Highway  Stretching  into  the 
Distance. 

Enter  Job,  carrying  his  potsherd;  himself  the  incarnation 

of  woe.     The  Three  Friends  appear  on  the  highway. 
(And  when  they  lifted  up  their  eyes  afar  off, 
And  knew  him  not, 
They  lifted  up  their  voice,  and  wept ; 
And  they  rent  every  one  his  mantle, 
And  sprinkled  dust  upon  their  heads  toward  heaven.) 

[Exit  Job,  followed  by  the  Three. 


3 


Scene  II.     A  More  Secluded  Spot. 

Job  sitting  in  ashes :  the  Friends  seated  at  som.e  distance.1 

Day  and  night  come  and  go  seven2,  times  diwing  this 

melancholy  scene.    Then  the  afflicted  speaks} 

Job.  Let  the  day  perish  wherein  I  was  born. 
And  the  night  which  said, 
w  There  is  a  man  child  conceived." 

Let  that  day  be  darkness ; 

Let  not  God  from  above  seek  for  it, 

Neither  let  the  light  shine  upon  it. 


1  "  So  they  sat  down  with  him  upon  the  ground  " 

2  "  Seven  days  and  seven  nights, 

And  none  spake  a  word  unto  him  : 

For  they  saw  that  his  grief  was  very  great." 

3  "  After  this  Job  opened  his  mouth 

And  cursed  his  day. 

And  Job  answered  and  said,"  etc. 


28  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WOULD. 

Let  darkness  and  the  shadow  of  death  claim  it  for  their 
own ; 

Let  a  clond  dwell  upon  it ; 

Let  all  that  maketh  black  the  day  terrify  it. 
As  for  that  night,  let  thick  darkness  seize  upon  it: 
Let  it  not  rejoice  among  the  days  of  the  year ; 
Let  it  not  come  into  the  number  of  the  months. 
Lo,  let  that  night  be  barren  ; 
Let  no  joyful  voice  come  therein. 
Let  them  curse  it  that  curse  the  day, 
Who  are  ready  to  rouse  up  leviathan. 
Let  the  stars  of  the  twilight  thereof  be  dark : 
Let  it  look  for  light,  and  find  none ; 
Neither  let  it  behold  the  eyelids  of  the  morning  : 
Because  it  shut  not  up  the  door  of  my  mother's  womb, 
Nor  hid  trouble  from  mine  eyes. 

[Turns  in  agony  to  Ms  friends. 
Why  died  I  not  from  the  womb? 

Wjij  did  I  not  give  up  the  ghost  when  my  mother  bare  me  \ 
Why  did  the  knees  receive  me? 
Or  why  the  breasts,  that  I  should  suck  ? 
For  now  should  I  have  lien  down  and  been  quiet ; 
I  should  have  slept ;  then  had  I  been  at  rest : 
Witli  kings  and  counselors  of  the  earth. 
Which  built  up  waste  places  for  themselves ; 
Or  with  princes  that  had  gold, 
Who  filled  their  houses  with  silver: 

( )r  as  a  hidden  untimely  birth 
I  had  not  been  ; 

As  infants  which  never  saw  light. 
There  the  wicked  cease  from  troubling ; 
And  the  weary  be  at  rest. 
There  the  prisoners  are  at  ease  together  ; 


ACT  III.     SCENE  III.  2fl 

They  hear  not  the  voice  of  the  task-master. 
The  small  and  the  great  are  there ; 
And  the  servant  is  free  from  his  master. 

[The  friends  do  not  answer. 

Wherefore  is  light  given  to  him  that  is  in  misery, 
And  life  nnto  the  bitter  in  soul ; 
Which  long  for  death,  but  it  cometh  not ; 
And  dig  for  it  more  than  for  hid  treasures ; 
Which  rejoice  exceedingly, 
And  are  glad,  when  they  can  find  the  grave  ? 

Why  is  light  given  to  a  man  whose  way  is  hid, 
And  whom  God  hath  hedged  in  ? 
For  my  sighing  cometh  before  I  eat, 
And  my  groanings  are  poured  out  like  Water. 
For  the  thing  which  I  feared  cometh  upon  me, 
And  that  which  I  am  afraid  of  cometh  unto  me. 
I  am  not  at  ease,  neither  am  I  quiet,  neither  have  I  rest ; 
But  trouble  cometh.  [Exeunt. 


Scene  III.     On  JoVs  Grounds. 

Job  alone. 

Enter  Eliphaz,  Bildad,  and  Zophar.     Prolonged  silence. 

EM-phaz  [to  Job].1    If  one  assay  to  commune  with  thee, 
wilt  thou  be  grieved  ? 
But  who  can  withhold  himself  from  speaking? 

Behold,  thou  hast  instructed  many, 
And  thou  hast  strengthened  the  weak  hands. 
Thy  words  have  upholden  him  that  was  falling, 
And  thou  hast  made  firm  the  feeble  knees. 


Then  answered  Eliphaz  the  Tenianite,  and  said,"  et< 


30  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IX  THE  WORLD. 

But  now  it  is  come  unto  thee,  and  thou  faintest ; 

It  toucheth  thee,  and  thou  art  troubled. 

Is  thy  fear  of  God  thy  confidence, 

And  the  integrity  of  thy  ways  thy  hope  ?        .  [No  answer. 

Remember,  I  pray  thee,  who  ever  perished,  being  innocent  ? 
( )r  where  were  the  upright  cut  off  ?  [Still  no  answer. 

According  as  I  have  seen,  they  that  plow  iniquity, 

And  sow  trouble,  reap  the  same. 

By  the  breath  of  God  they  perish, 

And  by  the  blast  of  his  anger  are  they  consumed. 

The  roaring  of  the  lion, *  and  the  voice  of  the  iierce  lion, 

And  the  teeth  of  the  young  lions,  are  broken. 

The  old  lion  perisheth  for  lack  of  prey. 

And  the  whelps  of  the  lioness  are  scattered  abroad. 

[  VMjphaz,  attributing  to  pride  Job's  restlessness  over  this 
insinuated  accusation,  changes  his  tactics  and  en- 
deavors to  humble  him. 

Now  a  thing  was  secretly  brought  to  me, 

And  mine  ear  received  a  whisper  thereof. 

In  thoughts  from  the  visions  of  the  night, 

When  deep  sleep  falleth  on  men, 

Fear  came  upon  me,  and  trembling, 

Which  made  all  my  bones  to  shake. 

Then  a  spirit  passed  before  my  face ; 

The  hair  of  my  flesh  stood  up. 

It  stood  still,  but  I  could  not  discern  the  appearance  thereof ; 

A  form  was  before  mine  eyes : 

There  was  silence,  and  I  heard  a  voice,  saying, 

[Quotes  the  Apparition. 

1  The  lion  is  here  taken  as  a  type  of  evil-doers. 


ACT  III.     SCENE  III. 


"  Shall  mortal  man  be  more  just  than  God  ? 

Shall  a  man  be  more  pure  than  his  Maker? 

Behold,  he  putteth  no  trust  in  his  servants; 

And  his  angels  he  chargeth  with  folly : 

How  much  more  them  that  dwell  in  houses  of  clay, 

Whose  foundation  is  in  the  dust, 

Which  are  crushed  before  the  moth  !  " 

\Eliphaz  confirms  the  speech  of  the  Apparition. 

Betwixt  morning  and  evening  they  are  destroyed : 
They  perish  forever  without  any  regarding  it. 
Is  not  their  tent-cord  plucked  up  within  them  ? 
They  die,  and  that  without  wisdom. 

Call  now  ;  is  there  any x  that  will  answer  thee  ? 
And  to  which  of  the  holy  ones  wilt  thou  turn  % 

For  vexation  killeth  the  foolish  man, 

And  jealousy  slayeth  the  silly  one. 

I  have  seen  the  foolish  taking  root : 

But  suddenly  I  cursed  his  habitation. 

His  children  are  far  from  safety, 

And  they  2  are  crushed  in  the  gate, 

Neither  is  there  any  to  deliver  them. 

Whose  harvest  the  hungry  eateth  up, 

And  taketli  it  even  out  of  the  thorns, 

And  the  snare  gapeth  for  their  substance. 

For  affliction  cometh  not  forth  of  the  dust, 

Neither  doth  trouble  spring  out  of  the  ground  ; 

But  man  is  born  into  trouble, 

As  the  sparks  fly  upward.  [More  kindly. 

1  That  is,  any  except  God. 

2  Eliphaz  thus  cruelly  reminds  Job  of  his  children. 


32  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 


But  as  for  me,  I  wonld  seek  unto  God, 

And  unto  God  would  I  commit  my  cause : 

Which  doeth  great  things  and  unsearchable  ; 

Marvelous  things  without  number : 

Who  giveth  rain  upon  the  earth, 

And  sendeth  waters  upon  the  fields : 

So  that  he  setteth  up  on  high  those  that  be  low  ; 

And  those  which  mourn  are  exalted  to  safety. 

lie  frustrateth  the  devices  of  the  crafty, 

So  that  their  hands  cannot  perform  their  enterprise. 

He  taketh  the  wise  in  their  own  craftiness  : 

And  the  counsel  of  the  froward  is  carried  headlong. 

They  meet  with  darkness  in  the  daytime, 

And  grope  at  noonday  as  in  the  night. 

But  he  saveth  from  the  sword  of  their  mouth, 

Even  the  needy  from  the  hand  of  the  mighty. 

So  the  poor  hath  hope, 

And  iniquity  stoppeth  her  mouth.  [117///  greater  sympathy. 

Behold,  happy  is  the  man  whom  God  correcteth  : 
Therefore  [to  Job]  despise  not  thou  the  chastening  of  the 

Almighty. 
For  he  maketh  sore,  and  bindeth  up ; 
He  woundeth,  and  his  hands  make  whole, 
lie  shall  deliver  thee  in  six  troubles; 
Yea,  in  seven  there  shall  no  evil  touch  thee. 
In  famine  he  shall  redeem  thee  from  death  ; 
And  in  war  from  the  power  of  the  sword. 
Thou  shalt  be  hid  from  the  scourge  of  the  tongue ; 
Neither  shalt  thou  be  afraid  of  destruction  when  it  cometh. 
At  destruction  and  dearth  thou  shalt  laugh  ; 
Neither  shalt  thou  be  afraid  of  the  beasts  of  the  earth. 
For  thou  shalt  be  in  league  with  the  stones  of  the  field ; 


ACT  III.     SCENE  III.  33 

i 

And  the  beasts  of  the  field  shall  be  at  peace  with  thee. 
And  thou  shalt  know  that  thy  tent  is  in  peace ; 
And  thou  shalt  visit  thy  fold,  and  shalt  miss  nothing. 
Thou  shalt  know  also  that  thy  seed  shall  be  great, 
And  thine  offspring  as  the  grass  of  the  earth. 
Thou  shalt  come  to  thy  grave  in  a  full  age, 
Like  a  shock  of  corn  cometh  in  in  its  season. 
Lo  this,  we  have  searched  it,  so  it  is ; 
Hear  it,  and  know  thou  it  for  thy  good. 

Job.1  O  that  my  vexation  were  but  weighed, 
And  all  my  calamity  laid  in  the  balances ! 
For  now  it  would  be  heavier  than  the  sand  of  the  seas  : 
Therefore  [addressing  his  friends~\   have  my  words  been 

rash. 
For  the  arrows  of  the  Almighty  are  within  me, 
The  poison  whereof  my  spirit  drinketh  up : 
The  terrors  of  God  do  set  themselves  in  array  against  me. 
Doth  the  wild  ass  bray  when  he  hath  grass  ? 
Or  lowetli  the  ox  over  his  fodder  ? 

{Proceeds  to  notice  what  Eliphaz  has  said. 
Can  that  which  hath  no  savor  be  eaten  without  salt  ? 
Or  is  there  any  taste  in  the  white  of  an  egg7i 
My  soul  refuseth  to  touch  them;    [The  sayings  of  Eliphaz 
They  are  loathsome  meat  to  me. 

[Job  is  here  diverted  by  his  despair. 
O  that  I  might  have  my  request ; 

And  that  God  would  grant  me  the  thing  that  I  long  for ! 
Even  that  it  would  please  God  to  crush  me; 
That  he  would  let  loose  his  hand  and  cut  me  off  ! 
And  be  it  still  my  consolation  ; 
Yea,  let  me  exult  in  pain  that  spareth  not : 

1  "  Then  Job  answered  and  said,"  etc. 
3 


34  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 


That  I  have  not  [as  they  suppose]  denied  the  words  of  the 
Holy  One.  [Pauses,  defiant. 

What  is  my  strength,  that  I  should  wait? 

And  what  is  mine  end,1  that  I  should  be  patient  ? 

Is  my  strength  the  strength  of  stones  ? 

Or  is  my  flesh  of  brass  ? 

Is  it  not  that  I  have  no  help  in  me, 

And  that  wisdom  is  driven  quite  from  me  ? 

[Rebukes  Eliphaz. 
To  him  that  is  ready  to  faint  kindness  should  be  showed 

from  his  friend ; 
Even  to  him  that  forsaketh  the  fear  of  the  Almighty. 

[Job's  mind  returns  to  his  own  brethren. 
My  brethren  have  dealt  deceitfully  as  a  brook, 
As  the  channel  of  brooks  that  pass  away ; 
Which  are  black  by  reason  of  the  ice, 
And  wherein  the  snow  hideth  itself  : 
What  time  they  wax  warm,  they  vanish  : 
When  it  is  hot,  they  are  consumed  out  of  their  place. 
The  caravans  that  travel  by  the  way  of  them  turn  aside; 
They  2  go  up  into  the  waste,  and  perish. 
The  caravans3. of  Tema  looked,4 
The  companies  of  Slieba  waited  for  them. 
They  were  ashamed  because  they  had  hoped; 
They  came  thither,  and  were  confounded. 

[Job  hints  upon  the  Three. 
For  now  ye  are  nothing  : 
Ye  see  a  terror,  and  are  afraid. 

1  IK-  evidently  did  not  expect  to  recover,  therefore  why  do  anything  I 

'-'  The  caravans. 

:i  Doubtless  referring  to  real  incidents  well  known  to  the  friends, 

4  For  such  streams. 


ACT  III.     SCENE  III. 


Did  I  say, 

Give  unto  me  ;  or, 

Offer  a  present  for  me  of  your  substance ;  or, 

Deliver  me  from  the  adversary's  band  ;  or, 

Redeem  me  from  the  band  of  tbe  oppressors? 

{They  cannot  say  that  he  had  asked  these  things. 
Teach  me,  and  I  will  hold  my  peace : 
And  cause  me  to  understand  wherein  I  have  erred. 

[Embarrassment  among  the  friends.      As  they  cannot  tell 
him  wherein,  he  goes  on  with  scathing  sarcasm. 

How  forcible  are  words  of  uprightness ! 

But  your  reproof,  what  doth  it  reprove  ? 

Do  ye  think  to  reprove  words  ? 

Seeing  that  the  speeches  of  one  that  is  desperate  are  as  wind. 

Yea  [with  withering  contempt],  ye  would  cast  lots  upon 

the  fatherless, 
And  make  merchandise  of  your  friend. 
Now  therefore  be  pleased  to  look  upon  me ; 
For  surely  I  shall  not  lie  to  your  face.       [Drives  them  off. 
Return,  I  pray  you,  let  there  be  no  injustice  ; 
Yea,  return  again  ;  my  cause  is  righteous. 
Is  there  injustice  on  my  tongue  ? 
Cannot  my  taste  discern  mischievous  things  ? 

[Exeunt  Eliphaz,  Bildad,  Zophar. 

[Job,  left  alone,  falls  into  a  soliloquy. 
Is  there  not  a  warfare  to  man  upon  earth  ? 
And  are  not  his  days  like  the  days  of  an  hireling? 
As  a  servant  that  earnestly  desireth  the  shadow, 
And  as  an  hireling  that  looketh  for  his  wages: 
So  am  I  made  to  possess  months  of  vanity, 
And  wearisome  nights  are  appointed  to  me. 
When  1  lie  down,  I  say, 


36  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE   WORLD. 

"When  shall  I  arise  and  the  night  be  gone  ?" 

And  I  am  full  of  tossin^s  to  and  fro  unto  the  dawning  of 

the  day. 
My  flesh  is  clothed  with  worms  and  clods  of  dust ; 
Mv  skin  closeth  up  and  breaketh  out  afresh. 
My  days  are  swifter  than  a  weaver's  shuttle, 
And  are  spent  without  hope. 

[Prays. 

0  remember  that  my  life  is  a  breath : 
Mine  eye  shall  no  more  see  good. 

The  eye  of  him  that  seeth  me  shall  behold  me  no  more : 
Thine  eyes  shall  be  upon  me,  but  I  shall  not  be. 
As  the  cloud  is  consumed  and  vanisheth  away, 
So  he  that  goeth  down  to  Sheol1  shall  come  up  no  more. 
He  shall  return  no  more  to  his  house, 
Neither  shall  his  place  know  him  any  more. 
Therefore  I  will  not  refrain  my  mouth  ; 

1  will  speak  in  the  anguish  of  my  spirit ; 

I  will  complain  in  the  bitterness  of  my  soul. 

Am  I  a  sea,  or  a  sea-monster,  [Complains. 

That  thou  settest  a  watch 2  over  me  ? 

When  I  say, 

"  My  bed  shall  comfort  me, 

My  couch  shall  ease  my  complaint ; " 

Then  thou  scarest  me  with  dreams, 

And  terrifiest  me  through  visions  : 

So  that  my  soul  chooseth  strangling, 

And  death  rather  than  these  my  bones. 

I  loathe  my  life  ;  I  would  not  live  alway  : 
Let  me  alone  ;  for  my  days  are  vanity. 
AVhatis  man,  that  thou  shouldest  magnify  him, 

1  The  crave. 

aEliphaz,  Bildad,  and  Zophar. 


ACT  III.     SCENE  IV.  37 

And  that  thou  shouldest  set  thy  mind  upon  him, 

And  that  thou  shouldest  visit  him  every  morning, 

And  try  him  every  moment? 

How  long  wilt  thou  not  look  away  from  me, 

Nor  let  me  alone  till  I  swallow  down  my  spittle  ? 

If  I  have  sinned,  what  do  I  unto  thee,  O  thou  watcher  of 

men  ? 
Why  hast  thou  set  me  as  a  mark  for  thee, 
So  that  I  am  a  burden  to  myself  ? 
And  why  dost  thou  not  pardon  my  transgression,  and  take 

away  mine  iniquity  ?  [In profound  despair. 

For  now  shall  I  lie  down  in  the  dust ; 
And  thou  shalt  seek  me  diligently,  but  I  shall  not  be. 

[Exit. 

Scene  IV.      On  JoVs  Grounds. 

Job  alone. 

Enter  Bildad,  Eliphaz,  and  Zophar. 

Bildad}  How  long  wilt  thou  speak  these  things  ? 
And  how  long  shall  the  words  of  thy  mouth  be  like  a 

mighty  wind  ? 
Doth  God  pervert  judgment  ? 
Or  doth  the  Almighty  pervert  justice? 

If  thy  children  have  sinned  against  him, 
And  he  have  delivered  them  into  the  hand  of  their  trans- 
gression. 

If  thou  wouldest  seek  diligently  unto  God, 

And  make  thy  supplication  2  unto  the  Almighty ; 

1  "  Then  answered  Bildad  the  Shuhite,  and  said,"  etc. 

a  Bildad  evidently  does  not  know  that  Job  has  prayed.    See  Act  111,  Scene  III. 


:;s  THE  OLDEST  DUAMA  IN  THE  WOULD. 

If  thou  wert  pure  and  upright ; 

Surely  now  he  would  awake  for  thee, 

And  make  the  habitation  of  thy  righteousness  prosperous. 

And  though  thy  beginning  was  small, 

Yet  thy  latter  end  should  greatly  increase. 

For  inquire,  I  pray  thee,  of  the  Former  Age, 
And  apply  thyself  to  that  Avhich  their  fathers  have  searched 

out : 
(For  we  are  but  of  yesterday,  and  know  nothing, 
Because  our  days  upon  earth  are  a  shadow  :) 
Shall  not  they  teach  thee,  and  tell  thee, 
And  utter  words  out  of  their  heart  ? 

Can  the  rush  grow  without  mire? 

Can  the  flag  grow  without  water  ? 

While  it  is  yet  in  its  greenness,  and  not  cut  down, 

It  withereth  before  any  other  herb. 

So  are  the  paths  of  all  that  forget  God  ; 

And  the  hope  of  the  godless  man  shall  perish  : 

Whose  confidence  shall  break  in  sunder, 

And  whose  trust  is  a  spider's  web. 

He  shall  lean  upon  his  house,  but  it  shall  not  stand  : 

He  shall  hold  fast  thereby,  but  it  shall  not  endure. 

He  is  green  before  the  sun, 

And  his  shoots  go  forth  over  his  garden. 

His  roots  are  wrapped  about  the  stone-heap, 

lie  beholdeth  the  place  of  stones. 

If  he  be  destroyed  from  his  place, 
Then  it  shall  deny  him,  saying, 
"  I  have  not  seen  thee." 

[  With  sarcasm. 
Behold,  this  is  the  joy  of  his  way, 
And  out  of  the  earth  shall  others  spring. 


ACT  111.     SCENE  IV.  39 

[Speaks  more  hmdl/y. 
Beliold,  God  will  not  cast  away  a  perfect  man, 
Neither  will  he  uphold  the  evil-doers. 
lie  will  yet  fill  thy  mouth  with  laughter, 
And  thy  lips  with  shouting. 

They  that  hate  thee  shall  be  clothed  with  shame ; 
And  the  tent  of  the  wicked  shall  be  no  more. 

Job}  Of  a  truth  I  know  that  it  is  so : 
But  how  can  a  man  be  just  with  God  % 
If  he  be  pleased  to  contend  with  him, 
He  cannot  answer  him  one  of  a  thousand. 

He  is  wise  in  heart,  and  mighty  in  strength : 
Who  hath  hardened  himself  against  him,  and  prospered  % 

Which  removeth  the  mountains,  and  they  know  it  not. 
When  he  overturneth  them  in  his  anger. 

Which  shaketh  the  earth  out  of  her  place, 
And  the  pillars  thereof  tremble. 

Whicji  commandeth  the  sun,  and  it  riseth  not ; 
And  sealeth  up  the  stars. 

Which  alone  stretcheth  out  the  heavens, 
And  treadeth  upon  the  waves  of  the  sea. 

Which  maketh  the  Bear,  Orion,  and  the  Pleiades, 
And  the  chambers  of  the  south. 

Which  doeth  great  things  past  finding  out; 
Yea,  marvelous  things  without  number. 

Lo,  he  goeth  by  me,  and  I  see  him  not : 
He  passeth  on  also,  but  I  perceive  him  not. 

Behold,  he  seizeth  the  prey,  who  can  hinder  him? 
Who  will  say  unto  him, 

"What  doest  thou?" 

\_Rebellioushj. 
God  will  not  withdraw  his  anger ; 

1  "  Then  Job  answered  and  said,"  etc. 


40  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 


The  helpers  of  Rahab  do  stoop  under  him. 

How  much  less  shall  I  answer  him, 

And  choose  out  my  words  to  reason  with  him  ? 

Whom,  though  I  were  righteous,  yet  would  I  not  answer ; 

I  would  make  supplication  to  mine  adversary. 

[  Yet  Job  instantly  changes,  and  accuses  God. 

If  I  had  called,  and  he  had  answered  me ; 

Yet  would  I  not  believe  that  he  hearkened  unto  my  voice. 

For  he  breaketh  me  with  a  tempest, 

And  multiplieth  my  wounds  without  cause. 

He  will  not  suffer  me  to  take  my  breath, 

But  filleth  me  with  bitterness. 

If  we  speak  of  strength,  lo,  he  is  mighty  ! 

And  if  of  judgment : 

"  Who,"  saith  he, "  will  summon  me?"  [me  : 

Though  I  be  righteous,  mine  own  mouth  shall  condemn 

Though  I  be  perfect,  it  shall  prove  me  perverse. 

{Then,  in  desperation  at  this  thought. 
I  am  perfect ;  I  regard  not  myself ; 
I  despise  my  life. 
It  is  all  one ;  therefore  I  say, 

He  destroyeth  the  perfect  and  the  wicked. 

If  the  scourge  slay  suddenly, 

He  will  mock  at  the  trial  of  the  innocent. 

The  earth  is  given  into  the  hand  of  the  wicked  : 

He  covereth  the  faces  of  the  judges  thereof ; 
If  it  be  not  he,  who  then  is  it  \  [Awkward pause. 

{Exeunt  the  Thr<< . 

[Job  prays. 
Now  my  days  are  swifter  than  a  post: 
They  flee  away,  they  see  no  good. 


ACT  III.     SCENE  IV.  41 

They  are  passed  away  as  the  swift  ships: 
As  the  eagle  that  swoopeth  on  the  prey. 

If  I  say,  I  will  forget  my  complaint, 
I  will  put  off  my  sad  countenance,  and  be  of  good  cheer, 
[Then]  I  am  afraid  of  all  my  sorrows, 
I  know  that  thou  wilt  not  hold  me  innocent. 
I  shall  be  condemned  ; 
Why  then  do  I  labor  in  vain  ? 
If  I  wash  myself  with  snow  water, 
And  make  my  hands  never  so  clean ; 
Yet  thou  wilt  plunge  me  in  the  ditch, 
And  mine  own  clothes  shall  abhor  me. 

[Job  soliloquizes. 
For   he   is   not   a   man,  as   I   am,  that  I   should    answer 

him, 
That  we  should  come  together  in  judgment. 
There  is  no  daysman  betwixt  us, 
That  might  lay  his  hand  upon  us  both. 
Let  him  take  his  rod  away  from  me, 
And  let  not  his  terror  make  me  afraid : 
Then  would  I  speak,  and  not  fear  him ; 
For  1  am  not  so  in  myself. 
My  soul  is  weary  of  my  life ; 
I  will  give  free  course  to  my  complaint ; 
I  will  speak  in  the  bitterness  of  my  soul. 
I  will  say  unto  God : 


Do  not  condemn  me ! 
Show  me  wherefore  thou  contendest  with  me. 
Is  it  good  unto  thee  that  thou  shouldest  oppress, 
That  thou  shouldest  despise  the  work  of  thine  hands. 
And  shine  upon  the  counsel  of  the  wicked  ? 
Hast  thou  eyes  of  flesh, 


[Prays. 


4-2  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA    LX   THE  WOULD. 

Or  ^eest  thou  as  a  man  sceth? 

Are  thy  days  as  the  days  of  man, 

Or  thy  years  as  man's  days, 

That  thou  inquirest  after  mine  iniquity, 

And  searchest  after  nvy  sin, 

Although  thou  knowest  that  I  am  not  wicked ; 

And  there  is  none  that  can  deliver  out  of  thine  hand  ? 

Thine  hands  have  framed  me  and  fashioned  me 
Together  round  about ;  yet  thou  dost  destroy  me. 
Remember,  I  beseech  thee,  that  thou  hast  fashioned  me  as 

clay ; 
And  wilt  thou  bring  me  into  dust  again  ? 
Hast  thou  not  poured  me  out  as  milk, 
And  curdled  me  like  cheese  ? 
Thou  hast  clothed  me  with  skin  and  flesh, 
And  knit  me  together  with  bones  and  sinews. 
Thou  hast  granted  me  life  and  favor, 
And  thy  visitation  hath  preserved  my  spirit. 

Yet  these  things  thou  didst  hide  in  thine  heart ; 
I  know  that  this  is  with  thee : 

If  I  sin,  then  thou  markest  me, 
And  thou  wilt  not  acquit  me  from  mine  iniquity. 

Jf  I  be  wicked,  woe  unto  me ; 
And  if  I  be  righteous,  yet  shall  I  not  lift  up  my  head  • 
Being  filled  with  ignominy 
And  looking  upon  mine  affliction. 
And  if  my  head  exalt  itself,  thou  huntest  me  as  a  lion  : 
And  again  thou  showest  thyself  marvelous  unto  me. 
Thou  renewest  thy  witnesses  against  me, 
And  increaseth  thine  indignation  upon  me ; 

Changes  and  warfare  are  with  me. 


ACT  III.     SCENE  IV. 


V.\ 


Wherefore  then  hast  thou  brought  me  forth   out  of   the 

womb  ? 
I  had  given  up  the  ghost,  and  no  eye  had  seen  me. 
I  should  have  been  as  though  I  had  not  been ; 
I  should  have  been  carried  from  the  womb  to  the  grave. 
Are  not  my  days  few?  cease  then, 
And  let  me  alone,  that  I  may  take  comfort  a  little, 
Before  I  go  whence  I  shall  not  return, 
Even  to  the  land  of  darkness  and  of  the  shadow  of  death ; 
The  land  dark  as  midnight ; 
The  land  of  the  shadow  of  death,  without  any  order, 

[Exit. 


And  where  the  liedit  is  as  midnight. 


44  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 


Scene  V.     On  JoVs  Grounds. 
Job  alone. 
Enter  Zophar,  Bildad,  Eliphaz,  and  Elihu. 

Zophar}  Shall  not  the  multitude  of  words  be  answered  1 
And  should  a  man  full  of  talk  be  justified  ? 
Should  thy  boastings  make  men  hold  their  peace? 
And  when  thou  mockest,  shall  no  man  make  thee  ashamed  ? 

For  thou  sayest : 

"  My  doctrine  is  pure, 

And  I  am  clean  in  thine  eyes." 

But  O  that  God  would  speak, 

And  open  his  lips  against  thee ; 

And  that  he  would  show  thee  the  secrets  of  wisdom, 

For  he  is  manifold  in  understanding  ! 

Know  therefore  that  God  exacteth  of  thee  less  than  thine 
iniquity  deserveth. 

Canst  thou  by  searching  find  out  God  ? 

Canst  thou  find  out  the  Almighty  unto  perfection? 

It  is  high  as  heaven ;  what  canst  thou  do? 

Deeper  than  Sheol ;  what  canst  thou  know  ? 

The  measure  thereof  is  longer  than  the  earth, 

And  broader  than  the  sea. 

If  he  pass  through,  and  shut  up, 

And  call  unto  judgment,  then  who  can  hinder  him? 

For  he  knoweth  vain  men  : 

1  "  Then  answered  Zophar  the  Naamathite,  and  said,"  etc. 


ACT  III.     SCENE  V.  45 

He  seeth  iniquity  also,  even  though  he  consider  it  not. 
But  vain  man  is  void  of  understanding, 
Yea,  man  is  born  as  a  wild  ass's  colt. 


If  then  set  thine  heart  aright, 

And  stretch  out  thine  hands  toward  him ; 

If  iniquity  be  in  thine  hand,  put  it  far  away, 

And  let  not  unrighteousness  dwell  in  thy  tents; 

Surely  then  shalt  thou  lift  up  thy  face  without  spot; 

Yea,  thou  shalt  be  steadfast,  and  shalt  not  fear : 

For  thou  shalt  forget  thy  misery  ; 

Thou  shalt  remember  it  as  waters  that  are  passed  away : 

And  thy  life  shall  be  clearer  than  the  noonday ; 

Though  there  be  darkness,  it  shall  be  as  the  morning. 

And  thou  shalt  be  secure,  because  there  is  hope ; 

Yea,  thou  shalt  search  about  thee,  and  shalt  take  thy  rest 

in  safety. 
Also  thou  shalt  lie  down,  and  none  shalt  make  thee  afraid ; 
Yea,  many  shall  make  suit  unto  thee. 

But  the  eyes  of  the  wicked  shall  fail, 

And  they  shall  have  no  way  to  flee, 

And  their  hope  shall  be  the  giving  up  of  the  ghost. 

Job.1  No  doubt  but  ye  are  the  people, 
And  wisdom  shall  die  with  you. 
But  I  have  understanding  as  well  as  you ; 
I  am  not  inferior  to  you  : 
Yea,  who  knoweth  not  such  things  as  these  ? 

\On  the  one  hand. 
I  am  as  one  that  is  a  laughing-stock  to  his  neighbor. 

1  "Then  Job  answered  and  said,"  etc. 


4G  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 

I  who  culled  upon  God,  and  he  answered  : 

The  just  and  the  perfect  man  is  a  laughing-stock. 

(In1  the  thought  of  him  that  is  at  ease  there  is  contempt 
for  misfortune ;  • 

It  is  ready  for  them  whose  foot  slippeth.) 

[On  the  other  hand. 
The  tents  of  robbers  prosper, 
And  they  that  provoke  God  are  secure ; 
Into  whose  hand  God  bringeth  abundantly. 

[Turns  to  Zophar. 
But  ask  now  the  beasts,  and  they  shall  teach  thee ; 
And  the  fowls  of  the  air,  and  they  shall  tell  thee: 
Or  speak  to  the  earth,  and  it  shall  teach  thee ; 
And  the  fishes  of  the  sea  shall  declare  unto  thee. 

Who  knoweth  not  in  all  these,  [Alluding  to  his  afflictions. 
That  the  hand  of  the  Lord  hath  wrought  this  ? 
In  whose  hand  is  the  soul  of  every  living  thing, 
And  the  breath  of  all  mankind. 

[With  sarcasm  Job  continues. 
Doth  not  the  ear  try  words, 
Even  as  the  palate  tasteth  its  meat  ? 
With  aged  men  is  wisdom, 
And  in  length  of  days  is  understanding. 
With  him  is  wisdom  and  might; 
He  hath  counsel  and  understanding. 

Behold,  he  breaketh  down,  and  it  cannot  be  built  again  : 

He  shutteth  up  a  man,  and  there  can  be  no  opening. 

Behold,  he  withholdeth  the  waters,  and  they  dry  up ; 

Again,  he  sendeth  them  out,  and  they  overturn  the  earth. 

1  Something  in  the  friend*'  manner  doubtless  rails  him  to  say  warningly  the 
words  in  parentheses. 


ACT  III.     SCENE  V.  47 

With  him  is  strength  and  wisdom ; 
The  deceived  and  the  deceiver  are  his. 

[Showing  God's  use  of  his  power  and  wisdom. 
He  leadeth  counselors  away  spoiled, 
And  judges  maketh  he  fools. 

He  looseth  the  bond  of  kings, 
And  bindeth  their  loins  with  a  girdle. 

He  leadeth  priests  away  spoiled, 
And  overthroweth  the  mighty. 

He  removeth  the  speech  of  the  trusty, 
And  taketh  away  the  understanding  of  the  elders. 

He  poureth  contempt  upon  princes, 
And  looseth  the  belt  of  the  strong. 

He  discovereth  deep  things  out  of  darkness, 
And  bringeth  out  to  light  the  shadow  of  death. 

He  increaseth  the  nations,  and  he  destroyeth  them : 
He   enlargeth    the    nations,    and    he    leadeth    them    cap- 
tive. 

He  taketh  away  understanding  from  the  chiefs  of  the 
people  of  the  earth, 
And  causeth  them  to  wander  in  a  wilderness  where  there 

is  no  way. 
They  grope  in  the  dark — without  light ! — 
And  he  maketh  them  to  stagger  like  a  drunken  man. 

{Further  discussion  useless. 
Lo,  mine  eye  hath  seen  all  this, 
Mine  ear  hath  heard  and  understood  it. 
What  ye  know,  the  same  do  I  know  also : 
I  am  not  inferior  to  you. 

Surely  I  would  speak  to  the  Almighty, 
And  I  desire  to  reason  with  God. 
But  ye  are  forgers  of  lies, 


48  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  /A  THE  WORLD. 

[Scornfully. 
Ye  are  physicians  of  no  value. 
()  that  ye  would  altogether  hold  your  peace, 
And  it  should  be  your  wisdom  ! 

Hear  now  my  reasoning, 

And  hearken  to  the  pleadings  of  my  lips. 

Will  ye  speak  unrighteously  for  God, 
And  talk  deceitfully  for  him? 
Will  ye  show  partiality  to  him  ? 
A V ill  ye  contend  for  God  ? 
Is  it  good  that  he  should  search  you  out? 
Or  as  one  deceiveth  a  man,  will  ye  deceive  him  ? 
He  will  surely  reprove  you, 
If  ye  show  partiality. 
Shall  not  his  majesty  make  you  afraid, 
And  his  dread  fall  upon  you  ?  [Silence. 


Your  memorable  sayings  are  proverbs  of  ashes, 

Your  defenses  are  defenses  of  clay.  [Contemptuously. 

Hold  your  peace,  let  me  alone,  that  I  may  speak, 

And  let  cdtne  on  me  what  will.  [Defiantly. 

Wherefore  should  I  take  my  flesh  in  my  teeth, 

And  put  my  life  in  mine  hand?  [Despairs. 

Behold  he  will  slay  me;  I  have  no  hope! 

Nevertheless  I  will  maintain  my  ways  before  him. 

This  also  shall  be  my  salvation,  [When  lie  shall  come. 

That  a  godless  man  shall  not  come  before  him  ! 

[Job  emphatically  arid  formally  asserts  Jus  innocence. 
Hear  diligently  my  speech, 
And  let  my  declaration  be  in  your  ears: 
Behold  now  I  have  ordered  my  cause; 


ACT  III.     SCENE   V.  40 

I  know  that  I  am  righteous. 
Who  is  he  that  will  contend  with  me  \ 
[Seeing  that  nothing  can  be  done  with  Job  at  this  interview, 

[Exeunt  the  Three.1 

For  now  shall  I  hold  my  peace  and  give  up  the  ghost. 

Only  do  not  two  things  unto  me.  \_Prays. 

Then  will  I  not  hide  myself  from  thy  face : 

Withdraw  thine  hand  far  from  me ; 
And  let  not  thy  terror  make  me  afraid. 
Then  call  thou,  and  I  will  answer ; 
Or  let  me  speak,  and  answer  thou  me. 

How  many  are  mine  iniquities  and  sins  ? 
Make  me  to  know  my  transgression  and  my  sin. 

Wherefore  hidest  thou  thy  face, 
And  holdest  me  for  thine  enemy  ? 

Wilt  thou  harass  a  driven  leaf  ? 

And  wilt  thou  pursue  the  dry  stubble  ? 

For  thou  writest  bitter  things  against  me, 

And  makest  me  to  inherit  the  iniquities  of  my  youth : 

Thou  pnttest  my  feet  also  in  the  stocks,  and  markest  all  my 

paths ; 
Thou  settest  a  bound  to  the  soles  of  my  feet : 
Though  I  am  like  a  rotten  thing  that  consumeth, 
Like  a  garment  that  is  moth-eaten. 

Man  that  is  born  of  woman 
Is  of  few  days,  and  full  of  trouble, 
lie  cometh  forth  like  a  flower,  and  is  cut  down  : 
He  fleeth  also  as  a  shadow,  and  continueth  not. 

1  EHliu  remains.     See  chap,  xiii,  27  ;  xxxiii,  8-11. 


50  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 

And  dost  thou  open  thine  eyes  upon  such  an  one, 

And  bringest  me  into  judgment  with  thee  ? 

"Who  can  bring  a  clean  tiling  out  of  an  unclean  ?  not  one. 

Seeing  his  days  are  determined,  the  number  of  his  months 
is  with  thee, 

And  thou  hast  appointed  his  bounds  that  he  cannot  pass ; 

Look  away  from  him,  that  he  may  rest, 

Till  he  shall  accomplish,  as  an  hireling,  his  day. 

For  there  is  hope  of  a  tree,  if  it  be  cut  down,  that  it  will 
sprout  again, 

And  that  the  tender  branch  thereof  will  not  cease. 

Though  the  root  thereof  wax  old  in  the  eartb, 

And  the  stock  thereof  die  in  the  ground ; 

Yet  through  the  scent  of  water  it  will  bud, 

And  put  forth  boughs  like  a  plant. 

But  man  dieth,  and  is  laid  low : 

Yea,  man  giveth  up  the  ghost,  and  where  is  he  ? 

As  the  waters  fail  from  the  sea, 

And  the  river  wasteth  and  drieth  up; 

So  man  lieth  down  and  riseth  not: 

Till  the  heavens  be  no  more,  they  shall  not  awake, 

Nor  be  roused  out  of  their  sleep. 

O  that  thou  wouldest  hide  me  in  Sheol, 

That  thou   wouldest   keep  me  secret,  until  thy  wrath  be 
past, 

That  thou  wouldest  appoint  me  a  set  time,  and  remember 
me ! 

[As  he  prays  does  Joh  for  a  moment  dotiht  even  his  im- 
mortality f 
If  a  man  die,  shall  he  live  again  ? 

All  the  days  of  my  warfare  would  I  wait, 

Till  my  release  should  come. 

Thou  shouldest  call,  and  I  would  answer  thee : 


ACT  III.     SCENE  V.  51 

Thou  wouldest  have  a  desire  to  the  work  of  thine  hands. 
But  now  thou  numberest  my  steps :  [Dejectedly. 

Dost  thou  not  watch  over  my  sin? 
My  transgression  is  sealed  up  in  a  bag, 
And  thou  fastenest  up  mine  iniquity. 

And  surely  the  mountain  falling  cometh  to  nought^ 
And  the  rock  is  removed  out  of  its  place ; 
The  waters  wear  the  stones ; 

The  overflowings  thereof  wash  away  the  dust  of  the  earth : 
So  thou  destroyest  the  hope  of  man. 
Thou  prevailest  forever  against  him,  and  he  passeth ; 
Thou  changest  his  countenance,  and  sendest  him  away. 
His  sons  come  to  honor,  and  he  knoweth  it  not ; 
And  they  are  brought  low,  but  he  perceiveth  it  not  of 
them. 

But  his  flesh  upon  him  hath  pain, 

And  his  soul  within  him  mourneth!  [Exit  Job. 


52 


TEE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 


^£^'X        *  - 


Scene  VI.     On  Job's  Grounds. 

Job  alone. 

Enter  Elipiiaz,  Bildad,  and  Zophak. 

Eliphaz.1  [To  Job.]  Should  a  wise  man  make  answer 
with  vain  knowledge, 
And  fill  his  belly  with  the  east  wind? 
Should  he  reason  with  unprofitable  talk, 
Or  with  speeches  wherewith  he  can  do  no  good? 

i  "  Then  answered  Eliphaz  the  Temanite,  and  said,"  etc. 


ACT  III.     SCENE  VI.  53 


Yea,  thou  doest  away  with  fear, 
And  restfainest  devotion1  before  God. 
For  thine  iniquity  teacheth  thy  mouth, 
And  thou  choosest  the  tongue  of  the  crafty. 
Thine  own  mouth  condernneth  thee,  and  not  I ; 
Yea,  thine  own  lips  testify  against  thee. 

Art  thou  the  first  man  that  was  born  ? 

Or  wast  thou  brought  forth  before  the  hills  ? 

Hast  thou  heard  the  secret  counsel  of  God  ? 

And  dost  thou  limit  wisdom  to  thyself? 

What  knowest  thou,  that  we  know  not  ? 

What  understoodest  thou,  which  is  not  in  us  ? 

With  us  are  both  the  gray-headed  and  the  very  aged  men, 

Much  elder  than  thy  father. 

Are  the  consolations  of  God  too  small  for  thee. 

Even  the  word  that  is  gentle  toward  thee  ? 

[Job  betrays  anger  and  Eliphaz  rebukes  him. 
Why  doth  thine  heart  carry  thee  away  ? 
And  why  do  thine  eyes  flash  ? 
That  thou  turnest  thy  spirit  against  God, 
And  lettest  such  words  go  out  of  thy  mouth. 

[Eliphaz  speaks  contemptuously. 
What  is  man,  that  he  should  be  clean  ? 
And  he  which  is  born   of  a  woman,  that  he  should    be 

righteous  ? 
Behold,  he  putteth  no  trust  in  his  holy  ones ; 
Yea,  the  heavens  are  not  clean  in  his  sight. 
How  much  less  one  that  is  abominable  and  corrupt, 
A  man  that  drinketh  iniquity  like  water! 

1  Eliphaz  does  not  know  that  Job  lias  already  prayed.     Act  III,  Scenes  III, 
IV,  V. 


54  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 

I  will  show  thee,  hear  thou  me; 

And  that  which  I  have  seen  I  will  declare  : 

(Which  wise  men  have  told 

From  their  fathers,  and  have  not  hid  it ; 

Unto  whom  alone  the  land  was  given, 

And  no  stranger  passed  among  them  :) 

The  wicked  man  travaileth  with  pain  all  his  days, 

Even  the  number  of  years  that  are  laid  up  for  the  op- 
pressor. 

A  sound  of  terrors  is  in  his  ears  ; 

In  prosperity  the  spoiler  shall  come  upon  him : 

He  believeth  not  that  he  shall  return  out  of  darkness, 

And  he  is  waited  for  of  the  sword. 

He  wandereth  abroad  for  bread,  saying, 

"  Where  is  it  ?  " 

He  knoweth  that   the   day  of   darkness  is   ready   at  his 
hand  : 

Distress  and  anguish  make  him  afraid  ; 

They  prevail  against  him,  as  a  king  ready  to  the  battle : 

Because  he  stretched  out  his  hand  against  God, 

And  behaveth  himself  proudly  against  the  Almighty ; 

He  runneth  upon  him  with  a  stiff  neck, 

With  the  thick  bosses  of  his  bucklers : 

Because  he  hath  covered  his  face  with  his  fatness, 

And  gathered  fat  upon  his  loins ; 

And  he  hath  dwelt  in  desolate  cities, 

In  houses  which  no  man  inhabited, 

Which  were  ready  to  become  heaps. 

He  shall  not  be  rich,  neither  shall  his  substance  continue, 

Neither  shall  their  possessions  be  extended  on  the  earth. 

He  shall  not  depart  out  of  darkness ; 

The  flame  shall  dry  up  his  branches; 

And  by  the  breath  of  his  mouth  shall  he  go  away. 


ACT  IIT.     SCENE  VI.  55 

Let  him  not  trust  in  vanity,  deceiving  himself  : 

For  vanity  shall  be  his  recompense. 

It  shall  be  accomplished  before  his  time, 

And  his  branch  shall  not  be  green. 

He  shall  shake  off  his  unripe  grape  as  the  vine, 

And  shall  cast  off  his  flower  as  the  olive. 

For  the  company  of  the  godless  shall  be  barren, 

And  fire  shall  consume  the  tents  of  bribery. 

They  conceive  mischief,  and  bring  forth  iniquity, 

And  their  belly  prepareth  deceit. 

Job.1  I  have  heard  many  such  things  : 
Miserable  comforters  are  ye  all. 
Shall  vain  words  have  an  end  ? 
[To   Eliphaz.~\    Or   what   provoketh  thee    that  thou    an- 

swerest  ? 
I  also  could  speak  as  ye  do  ; 
If  your  soul  were  in  my  soul's  stead, 
I  could  join  words  together  against  you, 
And  shake  mine  head  at  yon. 
But  I  would  strengthen  you  with  my  mouth, 
And  the  solace  of  my  lips  should  assuage  your  grief. 

[Exeunt  the  Three. 
[Job  rises,  and,  pacing  to  and  fro,  soliloquizes  petulantly. 
Though  I  speak,  my  grief  is  not  assuaged  : 
And  though  I  forbear,  what  am  I  eased  ? 
But  now  he  hath  made  me  weary  ! 

[Addresses  God.~\  Thou  hast  made  desolate  all  my  company. 
And  thou  hast  laid  fast  hold  on  me,  which  is  a  witness 

against  me : 
And  my  leanness  riseth  up  against  me,  it  testifieth  to  my 

face. 


Then  Job  answered  and  said,"  etc. 


56  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  L\  THE  WOULD. 

[Resumes  his  soliloquy. 
He  [God]  hath  torn  me  in  his  wrath,  and  persecuted  me ; 
He  hath  gnashed  upon  me  with  his  teeth : 
Mine  adversary  sharpeneth  his  eves  upon  me. 

[Thinks  resentfully  of  his  friends  just  gone. 
They  have  gaped  upon  me  with  their  mouth ; 
They  have  smitten  me  upon  the  cheek  reproachfully  ; 
They  gather  themselves  together  against  me. 

[Thinks  God  has  abandoned  him. 
God  delivereth  me  to  the  ungodly, 
And  casteth  me  into  the  hands  of  the  wicked. 
I  was  at  ease,  and  he  brake  me  asunder  ! 
Yea,  he  hath  taken  me  by  the  neck,  and  dashed  me  to  pieces ! 
He  hath  also  set  me  up  for  his  mark. 
His  archers  compass  me  round  about, 
He  cleaveth  my  reins  asunder,  and  doth  not  spare ; 
He  poureth  out  my  gall  upon  the  ground. 
He  breaketh  me  with  breach  upon  breach ; 
He  runneth  upon  me  like  a  giant. 

[Thinks  he  suffers  undeservedly  and  in  spite  of  praying. 
I  have  sewed  sackcloth  upon  my  skin, 
And  laid  my  horn1  in  the  dust. 
My  lace  is  foul  with  weeping, 
And  on  my  eyelids  is  the  shadow  of  death  ; 
Although  there  is  no  violence  in  mine  hands, 
And  my  prayer  is  pure. 
O  earth,  cover  not  thou  my  blood, 
And  let  my  cry  have  no  resting-place ! 

Even  now,  behold,  my  witness  is  in  heaven, 

And  he  that  voucheth  for  me  is  on  high.    [  Weeps  bitterly. 

1  Horn,  an  emblem  of  power  mid  honor;  a  change  from  dignity  to  disgrace  is 
here  contrasted. 


ACT  III.     SCENE  VI 


My  friends  scorn  me  : 

But  mine  eye  ponreth  out  tears  unto  God  ; 

That  he  would  maintain  the  right  of  a  man  with  God, 

And  of  a  son  of  man  with  his  neighbor! 

For  when  a  few  years  are  come,  [at  longest,] 

I  shall  go  the  way  whence  I  shall  not  return. 

My  spirit  is  consumed,  my  days  are  extinct, 

The  grave  is  ready  for  me. 

Surely  there  are  mockers1  with  me, 

And  mine  eye  dwelleth  upon  their  provocation.2     [Prays. 

Give  now  a  pledge,  be  surety  for  me  with  thyself  ; 
Who  is  there  that  will  strike  hands  with  me  ? 
For  thou  hast  hid  their  heart  from  understanding  : 
Therefore3  shalt  thou  not  exalt  them. 
He  that  denounceth  his  friends  for  a  prey, 
Even  the  eyes  of  his  children  shall  fail. 

[Resumes  his  soliloquy. 
But  he  hath  made  me  also  a  byword  of  the  people ; 
And  they  spit  in  my  face ! 

[Thinks  of  his  physical  condition} 
Mine  eye  also  is  dim  by  reason  of  sorrow, 
And  all  my  members  are  as  a  shadow. 

Upright  men  shall  be  astonied  at  this, 
And  the  innocent  shall  stir  up  himself  against  the  godless. 

1  Referring  to  his  friends  Eliphaz,  Bildad,  and  Zophar. 

2  That  is,  "  I  can  see  very  well  how  they  would  provoke  me  !  " 

3  Job's  prayer  drifts  into  condemnation  of  his  three  friends. 

4  Delitzsch  says  ;  "  The  description  of  this  [Job's]  disease  calls  to  mind  Deut. 
xxviii,  35  with  27,  and  is,  according  to  the  symptoms  mentioned  ...  in  the 
book,  elephantiasis  (so  called  because  the  limbs  become  jointless  lumps  like 
elephant's  legs).  .  .  .  The  disease  begins  with  the  rising  of  tubercular  boils, 
and  at  length  resembles  a  cancer  spreading  itself  over  the  whole  body,  by 
which  the  body  is  so  affected  that  some  of  the  limbs  fall  completely  away. 
(Scraping  with  a  potsherd  will  not  only  relieve  the  intolerable  itching  of  thu 
skin,  but  also  remove  the  matter." 


68 


THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE   WORLD. 


[Pauses  and  reflects. 
Yet  shall  the  righteous  hold  on  his  way, 
And  he  that  hath  clean  hands  shall  wax  stronger  and  stronger. 
[Sees  the  Three  at  a  distance.,  and  calls  sarcastically. 
But  return  ye — all  of  you — and  come  now  ! 
And  I  shall  not  find  a  wise  man  among  you ! 

[Residues  his  soliloquy  dejectedly. 

My  days  are  past,  my  purposes  are  broken  off, 
Even  the  thoughts  of  my  heart. 
They  change  the  night  into  day : 
The  light,  say  they,  is  near  unto  the  darkness. 

If  I  look  for  Sheol  as  mine  house  ; 
If  I  have  spread  my  couch  in  the  darkness ; 
If  I  have  said  to  corruption, 
"  Thou  art  my  father  ;  " 
To  the  worm, 

"  Thou  art  my  mother,  and  my  sister ; " 
Where  then  is  my  hope  ? 
And  as  for  my  hope,  who  [else]  shall  see  it  ? 
It  shall  go  down  to  the  bars  of  Sheol, 
When  once  there  is  rest  for  me  in  the  dust. 


[Despairs 


[Exit. 


ACT  III.     SCENE  VII.  59 


Scene  VII.     Near  JoVs  House} 

Job  alone. 

Enter  Bildad,   Zophar,    and    Eliphaz  ;    Bildad  remon- 
strating with  the  Two. 

Bildad.2  How  long  will  ye  lay  snares  for  words  ? 
[To  Job.]  Consider,  and  afterward  we  will  speak. 

[A  long  j)ause. 
Wherefore  are  we  accounted  as  beasts, 
And  are  become  unclean  in  your  sight  ? 
Thou  that  tearest  thyself  in  thine  anger, 
Shall  the  earth  be  forsaken  for  thee  ? 
Or  shall  the  rock  be  removed  out  of  its  place  ? 

[Resumes  the  argument. 
Yea,  the  light  of  the  wicked  shall  be  put  out, 
And  the  spark  of  his  lire  shall  not  shine. 
The  light  shall  be  dark  in  his  tent, 
And  his  lamp  above  him  shall  be  put  out. 
The  steps  of  his  strength  shall  be  straitened, 
And  his  own  counsel  shall  cast  him  down. 
For  he  is  cast  into  a  net  by  his  own  feet, 
And  he  walketh  upon  the  toils. 
A  gin  shall  take  him  by  the  heel, 
And  a  snare  shall  lay  hold  on  him. 
A  noose  is  hid  for  him  in  the  ground. 
And  a  trap  for  him  in  the  way. 

Terrors  shall  make  him  afraid  on  every  side, 
And  shall  chase  him  at  his  heels. 
His  strength  shall  be  hunger  bitten, 
And  calamity  shall  be  ready  at  his  side. 

JSeexviii,  21  ;  xix,  15,  16. 

a"  Then  answered  Bildad  the  Shuhite,  and  said,"  etc. 


GO  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  MT011LD. 


The  members  of  his  body  shall  be  devoured, 
Yea,  the  first-born  of  death  shall  devour  his  members, 
lie  shall  be  rooted  out  of  his  tent  wherein  he  trusteth; 
And  he  shall  be  brought  to  the  king  of  terrors. 

There  shall  dwell  in  his  tent  that  which  is  none  of  his  : 
Brimstone  shall  be  scattered  upon  his  habitation. 
His  roots  shall  be  dried  up  beneath, 
And  above  shall  his  branch  be  cut  off. 

His  remembrance  shall  perish  from  the  earth, 
And  he  shall  have  no  name  in  the  street. 
He  shall  be  driven  from  light  into  darkness, 
And  chased  out  of  the  world. 

He  shall  have  neither  son  nor  son's  son  among  his  people, 
Xor  any  remaining  where  he  sojourned. 
They  that  come  after  shall  be  astonied  at  his  day, 
As  they  that  went  before  were  affrighted. 
Surely  such  are  the  dwellings  of  the  unrighteous, 
And  this  is  the  place  of  him  that  knoweth  not  God. 

Job.1  How  long  will  ye  vex  my  soul, 
And  break  me  in  pieces  with  words  ? 
These  ten  times  have  ye  reproached  me : 
Ye  are  not  ashamed  that  ye  deal  hardly  with  me. 
And  be  it  indeed  that  I  have  erred, 
Mine  error  remaineth  with  myself. 

[Blames  God  for  all  his  trouble. 
If  indeed  ye  will  magnify  yourselves  against  me, 
And  plead  against  me  my  reproach  : 
Know  now  that  God  hath  subverted  me  in  my  cause, 
And  hath  compassed  me  with  his  net. 

[Pathetically  continues  to  accuse  God, 
Behold,  I  cry  out  of  wrong,  but  I  am  not  heard  : 

1  "Then  Job  answered  and  said,"  etc. 


ACT  III.     SCENE  VII.  61 

I  cry  for  help,  but  there  is  no  judgment. 

He  hath  fenced  up  my  way  that  I  cannot  pass, 

And  hath  set  darkness  in  my  paths. 

He  hath  stripped  me  of  my  glory, 

And  taken  the  crown  from  my  head. 

He  hath  broken  me  down  on  every  side,  and  I  am  gone  : 

And  mine  hope  hath  he  plucked  up  like  a  tree. 

He  hath  also  kindled  his  wrath  against  me, 

And  he  counteth  me  unto  him  as  one  of  his  adversaries. 

His  troops  come  on    together,  and    cast    up    their    way 

against  me, 
And  encamp  round  about  my  tent. 

\_Kinsf blk,  friends,  and  servants  have  abandoned  him. 
He  hath  put  my  brethren  far  from  me, 
And  mine  acquaintance  are  wholly  estranged  from  me. 
My  kinsfolk  have  failed, 
And  my  familiar  friends  have  forgotten  me. 

They  that  dwell  in  mine  house,  and  my  maids,  count 
me  for  a  stranger  : 
I  am  an  alien  in  their  sight. 

I  call  unto  my  servant,  and  he  giveth  me  no  answer, 
Though  I  entreat  him  with  my  mouth. 

My  breath  is  strange  to  my  wife, 
And  my  supplication  to  the  children  of  mine  own  mother. 
Even  young  children  despise  me  ; 
If  I  arise,  they  speak  against  me. 
All  my  inward  friends  abhor  me : 
And  they  wThom  I  loved  are  turned  against  me. 

My  bone  cleaveth  to  my  skin  and  to  my  flesh, 
And  I  am  escaped  with  the  skin  of  my  teeth. 

[Cries  out  for  sympathy. 
Have   pity    upon    me,   have    pity    upon    me,    O    ye    un- 
friends : 


62  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 

For  the  hand  of  God  hath  touched  me. 
"Why  do  ye  persecute  me  as  God, 
And  are  not  satisfied  with  my  flesh  ? 

[Then  rises  to  the  heights  of  hope. 
O  that  my  words  were  now  written ! 

0  that  they  were  inscribed  in  a  book  ! 
That  with  an  iron  pen  and  lead 

They  were  graven  in  the  rock  forever ! 

But  as  for  me,  I  know  that  my  redeemer  liveth, 

And  at  last  he  shall  stand  up  upon  the  earth  : 

And  after  my  skin,  even  this  body  is  destroyed, 

Then  without  my  flesh  shall  I  see  God : 

Whom  I,  even  I,  shall  see  on  my  side, 

And  mine  eyes  shall  behold,  and  not  as  a  stranger. 

{Sudden  terrible  anguish,  and  this  awful  cry. 
My  reins  are  consumed  within  me  ! 
[  Whe?i  he  has    recovered   his    breath,  enraged   he    turns 

upon  his  friends. 
If  ye  say,  "  How  we  will  persecute  him  !  " 
And  that  the  root  of  the  matter  "is  found  in  me  ; 
Be  ye  afraid  of  the  sword  : 

For  wrath  bringeth  the  punishments  of  the  sword, 
That  ye  may  know  there  is  a  judgment. 

Zophar}    Therefore   do    my    thoughts   give    answer   to 
me, 
Even  by  reason  of  my  haste  that  is  in  me. 

1  bave  heard  the  reproof  which  putteth  me  to  shame, 
And  the  spirit  of  my  understanding  answereth  me. 

[Takes  up  the  controversy. 
K  no  west  thou  not  this  of  old  time, 

1  "Then  answerer!  Zophar  the  Nnamathite,  and  said,"  etc. 


ACT  III.     SCENE  VII.  63 

Since  man  was  placed  upon  earth, 

That  the  triumphing  of  the  wicked  is  short, 

And  the  joy  of  the  godless  but  for  a  moment  ? 

Though  his  excellency  mount  up  to  the  heavens, 
And  his  head  reach  unto  the  clouds ; 
Yet  he  shall  perish  forever  like  his  own  dung : 
They  which  have  seen  him  shall  say,  "  Where  is  he  \ " 
He  shall  fly  away  as  a  dream,  and  shall  not  be  found  : 
Yea,  he  shall  be  chased  away  as  a  vision  of  the  night. 
The  eye  which  saw  him  shall  see  him  no  more ; 
Neither  shall  his  place  any  more  behold  him. 
His  children  shall  seek  the  favor  of  the  poor, 
And  his  hands  shall  give  back  his  wealth. 
His  bones  are  full  of  his  youth, 
But  it  shall  lie  clown  with  him  in  the  dust. 

Though  wickedness  be  sweet  in  his  mouth, 
Though  he  hide  it  under  his  tongue ; 
Though  he  spare  it,  and  will  not  let  it  go, 
But  keep  it  still  within  his  mouth ; 
Yet  his  meat  in  his  bowels  is  turned, 
It  is  the  gall  of  asps  within  him. 
He  hath  swallowed  down  riches,  and  he  shall  vomit  them 

up  again : 
God  shall  cast  them  out  of  his  belly. 
He  shall  suck  the  poison  of  asps : 
The  viper's  tongue  shall  slay  him. 
He  shall  not  look  upon  the  rivers, 
The  flowing  streams  of  honey  and  butter. 
That  which  he  labored  for  shall  he  restore,  and  shall  not 

swallow  it  down ; 
According  to  the  substance  that  he  hath  gotten,  he  shall 

not  rejoice. 
For  he  hath  oppressed  and  forsaken  the  poor  ; 


G4  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE    WORLD. 


He  hath  violently  taken  away  an   house,  and  he  shall  not 

build  it  up. 
Because  he  knew  no  quietness  within  him, 
He  shall  not  save  aught  of  that  wherein  he  delighteth. 
There  was  nothing  left  that  he  devoured  not ; 
Therefore  his  prosperity  shall  not  endure. 
In  the  fullness  of  his  sufficiency  he  shall  be  in  straits  : 
The  hand  of  every  one  that  is  in  misery  shall  come  upon 

him. 
When  he  is  about  to  fill  his  belly, 
God  shall  cast  the  fierceness  of  his  wrath  upon  him, 
And  shall  rain  it  upon  him  while  he  is  eating. 
He  shall  flee  from  the  iron  weapon, 
And  the  bow  of  brass  shall  strike  him  through. 
He  draweth  it  forth,  and  it  cometh  out  of  his  body : 
Yea,  the  glittering  point  cometh  out  of  his  gall  ; 
Terrors  are  upon  him. 
All  darkness  is  laid  up  for  his  treasures : 
A  fire  not  blown  by  man  shall  devour  him ; 
It  shall  consume  that  which  is  left  in  his  tent. 
The  heavens  shall  reveal  his  iniquity, 
And  the  earth  shall  rise  up  against  him. 
The  increase  of  his  house  shall  depart, 
Ili.>  goods  shall  flow1  away  in  the  day  of  his  wrath. 
This  is  the  portion  of  a  wicked  man  from  God, 
And  the  heritage  appointed  unto  him  by  God. 

Job?  Hear  diligently  my  speech  ; 
And  let  this  be  your  consolations!  [  With  sarcasm. 

Suffer  me,  and  I  also  will  speak  ; 
And  after  that  I  have  spoken,  mock  on. 

1  For  example,  as  thine  have  grme. 
2 "Then  Job  answered  and  said,"  etc. 


ACT  III.     SCENE  VII.  65 


I. 
As  for  me,  is  my  complaint  to  man  ? 

II. 

And  why  should  I  not  be  impatient  ? 


[No  answer 


Mark  me,  and  be  astonished, 

And  lay  your  hand  upon  your  mouth. 

[Job  is  troubled  when  he  thinks  of  the  prosperous  wicked. 

Even  when  I  remember  I  am  troubled, 

And  horror  taketh  hold  on  my  flesh. 

Wherefore  do  the  wicked  live, 
Become  old,  yea,  wax  mighty  in  power  ? 
Their  seed  is  established  with  them  in  their  sight, 
And  their  offspring  before  their  eyes. 
Their  houses  are  safe  from  fear, 
Neither  is  the  rod  of  God  upon  them. 
Their  bull  gendereth,  and  faileth  not ; 
Their  cow  calveth,  and  casteth  not  her  calf. 
They  send  forth  their  little  ones  like  a  flock, 
And  their  children  dance. 
They  sing  to  the  timbrel  and  harp, 
And  rejoice  at  the  sound  of  the  pipe. 
They  spend  their  days  in  prosperity, 
And  in  a  moment  they  go  down  to  Sheol. 
And  they  say  unto  God, 
"  Depart  from  us  ; 

For  we  desire  not  the  knowledge  of  thy  ways. 
What  is  the  Almighty,  that  we  should  serve  him? 
And  what  profit  should  we  have,  if  we  pray  unto  him  ?" 

Lo,  their  prosperity  is  not  in  their  hand  !  [Iroiiicalhj. 

[I  say  it  is,  though]   The    counsel   of  the   wicked  is   far 

from  me. 
5 


66  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 

How  oft  is  it  that  the  lamp  of  the  wicked  is  put  out? 
That  their  calamity  cometh  upon  them  ? 
That  God  distributed  sorrows  in  his  anger  ? 
That  they  are  as  stubble  before  the  wind, 
And  as  chaff  that  the  storm  carrieth  away  ? 

Ye  [I]  say,1  God  layeth  up  his  iniquity  for  his  children. 

Let  him  recompense  it  unto  himself,2  that  he  may  know  it. 

Let  his  own  eyes  see  his  destruction, 

And  let  him  drink  of  the  wrath  of  the  Almighty. 

For  what  pleasure  hath  he3  in  his  house  after  him, 

When  the  number  of  his  months  is  cut  off? 

[Ye  ask.]     Shall  any  teach  God  knowledge  ? 

Seeing  he  judgeth  those  that  are  high. 

[Yet !  ]  One  die th  in  his  full  strength, 

Being  wholly  at  ease  and  quiet : 

His  breasts  are  full  of  milk, 

And  the  marrow  of  his  bones  is  moistened. 

And  another  dieth  in  bitterness  of  soul, 

And  never  tasteth  of  good. 
They  lie  down  alike  in  the  dust, 
And  the  worm  covereth  them. 

^Becomes  personal. 
Behold,  I  know  your  thoughts, 
And    the  devices  which    ye   wrongfully   imagine    against 

me. 
For  ye  say, 

"  Where  is  the  house  of  the  prince  3"  and 
"  Where  is  the  tent  wherein  the  wicked  dwelt  ?" 
Have  ye  not  asked  them  that  go  by  the  way  ? 

1  Ye  say  should  be,  /  my,  etc. 

2That  is,  upon  tli«'  offender  that  the  offender  may  know,  etc. 

3  The  righteous, 


ACT  III.     SCENE  VIII.  67 

And  do  ye  not  know  their  tokens  ? 

That  the  evil  man  is  reserved  to  the  day  of  calamity  ? 

That  they  are  led  forth  to  the  day  of  wrath  ? 

[Job  asks  them.~]  Who  shall  declare  his  way  to  his  face  ? 
And  who   shall    repay   him   what   [wickedness]   he   hath 

done? 
Yet  shall  he  be  borne  to  the  grave, 
And  men  shall  keep  watch  over  the  tomb. 
The  clods  of  the  valley  shall  be  sweet  nnto  him, 
And  all  men  shall  draw  after  him, 
As  there  were  innumerable  before  him. 

How  then  comfort  ye  me  in  vain, 

Seeing  in  your  answers  there  remaineth  only  falsehood  ? 

[Exeunt. 


Scene  VIII.     A  Tent. 
Job  within.     Time,  night.1     Lamp  burning. 
Enter  Eliphaz,  Bildad,  Zophar.    They  sit  before  the  t<  nt . 

Eliphaz?  Can  a  man  be  profitable  unto  God  ? 
Surely  he  that  is  wise  is  profitable  unto  himself. 
Is  it  any  pleasure  to  the  Almighty,  that  thou  art  right- 
eous. [Sarcasticalhj. 
Or  is  it  gain  to  him,  that  thou  makest  thy  ways  perfect  ( 
Is  it  for  thy  fear  of  him  that  he  reproveth  thee, 
That  he  entereth  with  thee  into  judgment? 
Is  not  thy  wickedness  great?              [Directly  accuses  Job. 
Neither  is  there  any  end  to  thine  iniquities. 

1  Time,  night,  xxii,  12:  xxv,  5,  moon  and  stars  visible. 

2  "Then  answered  Eliphaz  the  Temanite,  and  said,"  etc. 


G8  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 

For  tliou  hast  taken  pledges  of  thy  brother  for  nought, 

And  stripped  the  naked  of  their  clothing. 

Thou  hast  not  given  water  to  the  weary  to  drink, 

And  thou  hast  withholden  bread  from  the  hungry. 

But  as  for  the  mighty  man,  he  had  the  earth ; 

And  the  honorable  man,  he  dwelt  in  it. 

Thou  hast  sent  widows  away  empty, 

And  the  arms  of  the  fatherless  have  been  broken. 

Therefore  snares  are  around  about  thee, 

And  sadden  fear  troubleth  thee, 

Or  darkness,  that  thou  canst  not  see, 

x\nd  abundance  of  waters  cover  thee. 

Is  not  God  in  the  height  of  heaven  ? 

And  behold  the  height  of  the  stars  how  high  they  are ! 

And  thou  sayest, 

"  What  doth  God  know  ? 

Can  he  judge  through  the  thick  darkness  I 

Thick  clouds  are  a  covering  to  him,  that  he  seetli  not; 

And  lie  walketh  on  the  vault  of  heaven." 

Wilt  thou  keep  the  old  way 
Which  wicked  men  have  trodden  ? 
Who  were  snatched  away  before  their  time, 
Whose  foundation  was  poured  out  as  a  stream: 
Who  said  unto  God, 
"  Depart  from  us  ;  "  and 
"  What  can  the  Almighty  do  for  us?" 
Vet  he  filled  their  houses  with  good  things  :  [Thou  sayest. J 
[And  thou  sayest  also.]     "  But  the  counsel  of  the  wicked 

is  far  from  me." l 
[Not  so.]     The  righteous  see  it,2  and  are  glad  ; 
And  the  innocent  laugh  them  to  scorn  :  saying, 

1  See  Act  III,  Scene  VII,  page  65.  2The  destruction  of  the  wicked. 


ACT  III.     SCENE  VIII.  69 

"  Surely  they  that  did  rise  up  against  us  are  cut  oft", 
And  the  remnant  of  them  the  lire  hath  consumed." 

[Eliphaz  once  more  inclined  to  kindness. 
Acquaint  now  thyself  with  him,  and  be  at  peace : 
Thereby  good  shall  come  unto  thee. 
Receive,  I  pray  thee,  the  law  from  his  mouth, 
And  lay  up  his  words  in  thine  heart. 

(If  thou  return  to  the  Almighty,  thou  slialt  be  built  up ; 
If  thou  put  away  unrighteousness  far  from  thy  tents.) 
And  lay  thou  thy  treasure  in  the  dust, 
And  the  gold  of  Ophir  among  the  stones  of  the  brooks  ; 
And  the  Almighty  shall  be  thy  treasure, 
And  precious  silver  unto  thee. 

For  then  shalt  thou  delight  thyself  in  the  Almighty, 
And  lift  up  thy  face  unto  God. 

Thou  shalt  make  thy  prayer  unto  him,  and  he  shall  hear  thee  ; 
And  thou  shalt  pay  thy  vows. 
Thou  shalt  also  decree  a  thing,  and  it  shall  be  established 

unto  thee  ; 
And  light  shall  shine  upon  thy  ways. 
When  they  cast  thee  down,  thou  shalt  say, 
"  There  is  lifting  up  ;  " 
And  the  humble  person  he  shall  save. 
He  shall  deliver  even  him  that  is  not  innocent : 
Yea,  he  shall  be  delivered  through  the  cleanness  of  thine 
hands. 

{Job  paces  to  and  fro. 

Job}  Even  to-day  is  my  complaint  rebellious : 
My  stroke  is  heavier  than  my  groaning. 

[He  longs  to  receive  justice. 
O  that  I  knew  where  I  might  find  him, 
That  I  might  come  even  to  his  seat ! 

1  "  Then  Job  answered  and  said,'"  ute. 


70  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA   1\   THE    WOULD. 

I  would  order  my  cause  before  him, 

And  fill  my  mouth  with  arguments. 

I  would  know  the  words  which  lie  would  answer  me, 

And  understand  what  he  would  say  unto  me. 

Would   he   contend   with   me  in   the  greatness  of    his 
power  ? 

Nay ;  but  he  would  give  heed  unto  me. 

There1  the  upright  might  reason  with  him; 

So  should  I  be  delivered  forever  from  my  judge. 

[Laments. 

Behold,  I  go  forward,  but  he  is  not  there ; 

And  backward,  but  I  cannot  perceive  him: 

On  the  left  hand,  when   he   doth   work,  but   I  cannot  be- 
hold him  : 

He  hide th  himself  on  the  right  hand,  that  I  cannot  see 
him. 
[A  ray  of  encouragement  flashes  across  Job's  mind. 

But  he  knoweth  the  wTay  that  I  take ; 

When  he  hath  tried  me,  I  shall  come  forth  as  gold. 

My  foot  hath  held  fast  to  his  steps ; 

His  way  have  I  kept,  and  turned  not  aside. 

I  have  not  gone   back    from    the    commandment   of    his 
lips; 

I  have  treasured  up  the  words  of  his  mouth  more  than  un- 
necessary food. 
[Considers  the  situation  and  is  again  discouraged. 

But  he  is  in  one  mind,  and  who  can  turn  him  3 

And  what  his  soul  desireth,  even  that  he  doeth. 

For  he  performeth  that  which  is  appointed  for  me  : 

And  many  such  things  are  with  him. 

Therefore  am  I  troubled  at  his  presence ; 


At  a  judge's  tribunal. 


ACT  III.     SCENE  VIII.  71 

Wlien  I  consider,  I  am  afraid  of  him. 

For  God  hath  made  my  heart  faint, 

And  the  Almighty  hath  troubled  me: 

Because  I  was  not  cut  off  before  the  darkness,1 

Neither  did  he  cover  the  thick  darkness  from  my  face. 

[Petulant,  and  again  longs  for  a  fair  public  tria' 

Why  are  times  not  laid  up  by  the  Almighty  ? 

And  why  do  not  they  which  know  him  see  his  days  ? 

[Becomes  accusative,  and  declares  during  the  remainder 
of  this  speech  that  the  righteous  have  no  advan- 
tage over  the  wicked. 

There  are  that  remove  the  landmarks  ; 

They  violently  take  away  flocks,  and  feed  them. 

They  drive  away  the  ass  of  the  fatherless, 

They  take  the  widow's  ox  for  a  pledge. 
They  turn  the  needy  out  of  the  way  : 

The  poor  of  the  earth  all  hide  themselves. 

Behold,  as  wild  asses  in  the  desert 

They  go  forth  to  their  work,  seeking  diligently  for  meat ; 

The  wilderness  yieldeth  them  food  for  their  children. 

They  cut  their  provender  in  the  field  ; 

And  they  glean  the  vintage  of  the  wicked  [who  oppress 
them]. 

They  lie  all  night  naked,  without  clothing, 

And  have  no  covering  in  the  cold. 

They  are  wet  with  the  showers  of  the  mountains, 

And  embrace  the  rock  for  want  of  a  shelter. 

[Repeats  emphatically. 

There  are  that  pluck  the  fatherless  from  the  breast, 

And  take  a  pledge  of  the  poor : 

So  that  they  go  about  naked  without  clothing, 

1  That  is,  before  these  afflictions  came  upon  me. 


72  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 

And  being  hungry  they  carry  the  sheaves  ; 

They  make  oil  within  the  walls  of  these  men; 

They  tread  their  wine-presses,  and  suffer  thirst. 

Prom  out  of  the  populous  city  [also]  men  groan, 

And  the  soul  of  the  wounded  crieth  out : 

Yet  God  regardeth  not  the  folly  ! 

These  are  of  them  that  rebel  against  the  light ; 

They  know  not  the  ways  thereof, 

Nor  abide  in  the  paths  thereof. 

The  murderer  riseth  with  the  light,  he  killeth  the  poor 

and  needy ; 
And  in  the  night  lie  is  as  a  thief. 
The  eye   also  of  the  adulterer   waiteth  for  the  twilight, 

saying, 
"  No  eye  shall  see  me  :  " 
And  he  disguiseth  his  face. 

In  the  dark  they  dig  through  houses : 
They  shut  themselves  up  in  the  day-time ; 
They  know  not  the  light. 

[Ye  say]  For  the  morning  is  to  all  of  them1  as  the  shadow 

of  death ; 
For  they  know  the  terrors  of  the  shadow  of  death. 
He  [Death]  is  swift  upon  the  face  of  the  waters  ; 
Their  portion  is  cursed  in  the  earth ; 
He  turneth  not  by  the  way  of  the  vineyards. 
Drought  and  heat  consume  the  snow  waters  : 
So  doth  Sheol2  those  which  have  sinned. 
The  womb  shall  forget  him ;  the  worm  shall  sweetly  feed 

on  him  ; 
He  shall  be  no  more  remembered  : 
And  unrighteousness  shall  be  broken  as  a  tree. 

i  The  wicked.  a  The  grave. 


ACT  III.     SCENE  VIII  73 

[I  say]  He  [Death]  devoureth  the  barren  that  beareth  not ; 

And  doeth  not  good  to  the  widow. 

He  draweth  away  the  mighty  also  by  his  power  : 

He  riseth  up,  and  no  man  is  sure  of  life. 

God    givetli    them1    to    be   in   security,   and   they  rest 

thereon  ; 
And  his  eyes  are  upon  their  ways. 

They  are  exalted ;  yet  a  little  while,  and  they  are  gone ; 
Yea,  they  are  brought  low,  they  are  taken  out  of  the  way 

as  all  other, 
And  are  cut  off  as  the  tops  of  the  ears  of  corn. 

[Grows  defiant  and  refers  to  his  own  case  as  one  righteous 
who  is  being  cut  off  as  a  sinner. 

And  if  it  be  not  so  now,  who  will  prove  me  a  liar, 
And  make  my  speech  of  nothing  worth  ? 

Bildad.2,  Dominion  and  fear  are  with  him ; 
He  maketh  peace  in  his  high  places. 
Is  there  any  number  of  his  armies  ? 
And  upon  whom  doth  not  his  light  arise  ? 
How  then  can  man  be  just  with  God  ? 
Or  how  can  he  be  clean  that  is  born  of  a  woman  ? 
Behold,  even  the  moon  hath  no  brightness, 
And  the  stars  are  not  pure  in  his  sight : 
How  much  less  man,  that  is  a  worm  ! 
And  the  son  of  man,  which  is  a  worm  ! 

[  With  extreme  contempt. 

Job?    How    hast    thou    helped    him    that    is    without 
power ! 

1  The  righteous. 

2 "  Then  answered  Bildad  the  Shuhite,  and  said,"  etc. 

s"  Then  Job  answered  and  said,"  etc. 


74  THE  OLDEST  DHAM A   IX  THE   WOULD. 


How  hast  thou  saved  the  arm  that  hath  no  strength  ! 

I  low  hast  thou  counseled  him  that  hath  no  wisdom, 

And  plentifully  declared  sound  knowledge! 

To  whom  hast  thou  uttered  words  ? 

And  whose  spirit  cometh  forth  from  thee?  \_Exetinl. 


ACT  III.     SCENE  IX. 


Scene  IX.     An  Isolated  Spot:  A  Storm  Passing  on  the 

Sea. 
Enter  Job. 

Job.     They  that  are  deceased  tremble 
Beneath  the  waters  and  the  inhabitants  thereof. 
Sheol  is  naked  before  him, 
And  Abaddon  hath  no  covering. 
He  stretcheth  out  the  north  over  empty  space, 
And  hangeth  the  earth  upon  nothing. 
He  bindeth  up  the  waters  in  his  thick  clouds ; 
And  the  cloud  is  not  rent  under  them. 
He  closeth  in  the  face  of  his  throne, 
And  spreadeth  his  cloud  upon  it. 

He  hath  described  a  boundary  upon  the  face  of  the  water* 
Unto  the  confines  of  light  and  darkness. 
The  pillars  of  heaven  tremble 
And  are  astonished  at  his  rebuke. 
He  stirreth  up  the  sea  with  his  power, 
And  by  his  understanding  he  smiteth  through  Kahab. 
By  his  spirit  the  heavens  are  garnished  ; 


76  Til E  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 

His  hand  hath  pierced  the  swift  serpent. 
Lo,  these  are  but  the  outskirts  of  his  ways: 
And  how  small  a  whisper  do  we  hear  of  him! 
But  the  thunder  of  his  power  who  can  understand  ? 

[Spoken  in  dejection. 

Enter  Eliphaz,  Bildad;  and  Zophar. 

[Job1  turns  upmi  them. 
As  God  liveth,  who  hath  taken  away  my  right ; 
And  the  Almighty,  who  hath  vexed  my  soul ; 

(For  my  life  is  yet  whole  in  me, 
And  the  spirit  of  God  in  my  nostrils;) 
Surely  my  lips  shall  not  speak  unrighteousness, 
Neither  shall  my  tongue  utter  deceit. 

God  forbid  that  I  should  justify  you  : 

Till  I  die  I  will  not  put  away  mine  integrity  from  me. 

{Repeats  it  emphatically. 
My  righteousness  I  hold  fast,  and  will  not  let  it  go  : 
My  heart  shall  not  reproach  me  so  long  as  I  live. 

Let  mine  enemy  be  as  the  wicked, 

And  let  him  that  riseth  up  against  me  be  as  the  unright- 
eous. 

For  what  is  the  hope  of  the  godless,  though  he  get  him 
gain, 

When  God  taketh  away  his  soul  ? 

Will  God  hear  his  cry, 

When  trouble  cometh  upon  him  ? 

Will  he  delight  himself  in  the  Almighty, 

And  call  upon  God  at  all  times? 

1  "And  Job  again  took  up  his  parable,  and  said,"  etc 


ACT  III.     SCENE  IX.  77 

I  will  teach  you  concerning  the  hand  of  God ; 
That  which  is  with  the  Almighty  will  I  not  conceal. 
Behold,  all  ye  yourselves  have  seen  it; 
Why  then  are  ye  become  altogether  vain  ? 

[Then  Job  suddenly  determines  to   show   that   he    thor- 
oughly   understands    their  arguments,  and   iron- 
ically proceeds  to  recount  them,  as  follows  .#1 
This  is  the  portion  of  a  wicked  man  with  God, 
And  the  heritage  of  oppressors,  which  they  receive  from 
the  Almighty  : 

If  his  children  be  multiplied,  it  is  for  the  sword ; 
And  his  offspring  shall  not  be  satisfied  with  bread. 
Those  that  remain  of  him  shall  be  buried  in  death, 
And  his  widows  shall  make  no  lamentation. 

Though  he  heap  up  silver  as  the  dust, 
And  prepare  raiment  as  the  clay ; 
He  may  prepare  it,  but  the  just  shall  put  it  on, 
And  the  innocent  shall  divide  the  silver. 

He  buildeth  his  house  as  the  moth, 
And  as  a  booth  which  the  keeper  maketh. 
He  lieth  down  rich,  but  he  shall  not  be  gathered ; 
He  openeth  his  eyes,  and  he  is  not. 

Terrors  overtake  him  like  waters ; 
A  tempest  stealeth  him  away  in  the  night. 
The  east  wind  carrieth  him  away,  and  he  departeth; 
And  it  sweepeth  him  out  of  his  place. 
For  God  shall  hurl  at  him,  and  not  spare : 
He  would  fain  flee  out  of  his  hand. 


1  Some  scholars  claim  that  the  next  twenty-two  lines  are  Zophar's  speed i  ; 
his  name,  they  say,  has  been  omitted  by  transcribers.  I  have  not  felt  at  liberty 
to  insert  Zophar's  name. — A.  W. 


78  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 

Men  shall  clap  their  hands  at  him, 
And  shall  hiss  him  out  of  his  place. 

[Exeunt  the  Three  Friend*. 
[Job's  great  soliloquy  on  Wisdom  begins. 
Surely  there  is  a  mine  for  silver, 
And  a  place  for  gold  which  they  refine, 
iron  is  taken  out  of  the  earth, 
And  brass  is  molten  out  of  the  stone. 
Man  setteth  an  end  to  darkness, 
And  searcheth  out  to  the  furthest  bound — 
The  stones  of  thick  darkness  and  of  the  shadow  of  death. 
He  breaketh  open  a  shaft  away  from  where  men  sojourn. 

They  [the  waters]  are  forgotten  of  the  foot ; 
They  hang  afar  from  men,  they  swing  to  and  fro. 
As  for  the  earth,  out  of  it  cometh  bread  : 
And  underneath  it  is  turned  up  as  it  were  by  lire. 
The  stones  thereof  are  the  place  of  sapphires, 
And  it  hath  dust  of  gold. 
That  path1  no  bird  of  prey  knoweth, 
Xeither  hath  the  falcon's  eye  seen  it : 
The  proud  beasts  have  not  trodden  it, 
Nor  hath  the  fierce  lion  passed  thereby. 

He  [man]  putteth  forth  his  hand  upon  the  flinty  rock  ; 
He  overturneth  the  mountains  by  the  roots. 
He  cutteth  out  channels  among  the  rocks ; 
And  his  eye  seeth  every  precious  thing, 
lie  bindeth  the  streams  that  they  trickle  not. ; 
And  the  thing  that  is  hid  bringeth  he  forth  to  light. 
But  where  shall  wisdom  be  found  \ 
And  where  is  the  place  of  understanding? 

Man  knoweth  not  the  price  thereof; 
Neither  is  it  found  in  the  land  of  the  living. 

»  '•'•There  is  a  path,"  etc.  (  Authorized  Version). 


ACT  III.     SCENE  IX.  79 

The  deep  saith,  "  It  is  not  in  me:  " 

And  the  sea  saith,  "  It  is  not  with  me." 

It  cannot  be  gotten  for  gold, 

Neither  shall  silver  be  weighed  for  the  price  thereof. 

1 1  cannot  be  valued  with  the  gold  of  Ophir, 

With  the  precious  onyx,  or  the  sapphire. 

Gold  and  glass  cannot  equal  it : 

Neither  shall  it  be  exchanged  for  jewels  of  line  gold. 

No  mention  shall  be  made  of  coral  or  of  crystal  : 

Yea,  the  price  of  wisdom  is  above  rubies. 

The  topaz  of  Ethiopia  shall  not  equal  it, 

Neither  shall  it  be  valued  with  pure  gold. 

Whence  then  cometh  wisdom  ? 
And  where  is  the  place  of  understanding  ? 
Seeing  it  is  hid  from  the  eyes  of  all  living, 
And  kept  close  from  the  fowls  of  the  air. 
Destruction  and  Death  say, 
"  We  have  heard  a  rumor  thereof  with  our  ears." 

God  understandeth  the  way  thereof, 
And  he  knoweth  the  place  thereof. 
For  he  looketh  to  the  ends  of  the  earth, 
And  seeth  under  the  whole  heaven ; 
To  make  a  weight  for  the  wind  ; 
Yea,  he  meteth  out  the  waters  by  measure. 
When  he  made  a  decree  for  the  rain, 
And  a  way  for  the  lightning  of  the  thunder: 
Then  did  he  see  it,  and  declare  it ; 
lie  established  it,  yea,  and  searched  it  out. 
And  unto  man  he  said, 

"  Behold,  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  that  is  wisdom  ; 
And  to  depart  from  evil  is  understanding."  [Exit 


80 


THE  OLDEST  I)  J! A  MA   IX  THE  WORLD. 


Scene  X.       The  Open  Country. 
Filter  Job. 

Job : x  O  that  I  were  as  in  the  months  of  old, 
As  in  the  days  when  God  watched  over  me ; 
When  his  lamp  sinned  upon  my  head, 
And  by  his  light  I  walked  through  darkness; 
As  I  was  in  the  ripeness  of  my  days, 
When  the  secret  of  God  was  upon  my  tent ; 
When  the  Almighty  was  yet  with  me, 
And  my  children  were  about  me; 
When  my  steps  were  washed  with  butter,2 
And  the  rock  poured  me  out  streams  of  oil! 
When  I  went  forth  to  the  gate  unto  the  city, 
When  I  prepared  my  seat  in  the  street, 
The  young  men  saw  me  and  hid  themselves, 


1  "  And  Job  again  took  up  his  parable,  and  Raid,"  etc 

s  Job  thinks  of  the  mammoth  dairies  he  once  had. 


ACT  III.     SCENE  X.  81 

And  the  aged  rose  up  and  stood ; 

The  princes  refrained  talking, 

And  laid  their  hand  on  their  mouth ; 

The  voice  of  the  nobles  was  hushed, 

And  their  tongue  cleaved  to  the  roof  of  their  mouth. 

For  when  the  ear  heard  me,  Then  it  blessed  me ; 

And  when  the  eye  saw  me,  it  gave  witness  unto  me : 

Because  I  delivered  the  poor  that  cried, 

The  fatherless  also,  that  had  none  to  help  him. 

The  blessing  of  him  that  was  ready  to  perish  came  upon 

me: 
And  I  caused  the  widow's  heart  to  sing  for  joy. 
I  put  on  righteousness,  and  it  clothed  me  : 
My  justice  was  as  a  robe  and  a  diadem. 
I  was  eyes  to  the  blind, 
And  feet  was  I  to  the  lame. 
I  was  a  father  to  the  needy : 

And  the  cause  of  him  that  I  knew  not  I  searched  out. 
And  I  brake  the  jaws  of  the  unrighteous, 
And  plucked  the  prey  out  of  his  teeth. 

Then  I  said,  I  shall  die  in  my  nest, 

And  I  shall  multiply  my  days  as  the  sand : 

My  root  is  spread  out  to  the  waters, 

And  the  dew  lieth  all  night  upon  my  branch : 

My  glory  is  fresh  in  me, 

And  my  bow  is  renewed  in  my  hand. 

Unto  me  men  gave  ear,  and  waited, 
And  kept  silence  for  my  counsel. 
After  my  words  they  spake  not  again ; 
And  my  speech  dropped  upon  them. 
6 


82  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 

And  they  waited  for  me  as  for  the  rain ; 

And  they  opened  their  mouth  wide  as  for  the  latter  rain. 

If  I  laughed  on  them,  they  believed  it  not; 

And  the  light  of  my  countenance  they  cast  not  down. 

I  chose  out  their  way,  and  sat  as  chief, 

And  dwelt  as  a  king  in  the  army, 

As  one  that  comforteth  mourners. 


[The  dark  side  of  the  contrast. 
But  now  they  that  are  younger  than  I  have  me  in  derision, 
Whose  fathers  I  disdained  to  set  with  the  dogs  of  mv 

flock. 
Yea,  the  strength  of  their  hands,  whereto  should  it  profit 

me? 
Men  [fathers]  in  whom  ripe  age  is  perished. 

They  [sons  of  such  fathers]  are  gaunt  with  want  and 

famine ; 
They  gnaw  the  dry  ground,  in  the  gloom  of  wasteness  and 

desolation. 
They  pluck  salt-wort  by  the  bushes; 
And  the  roots  of  the  broom  are  their  meat. 
They  are  driven  forth  from  the  midst  of  men  ; 
They  [other  men]  cry  after  them  as  after  a  thief. 
In  the  clefts  of  the  valleys  must  they  dwell, 
In  holes  of  the  earth  and  of  the  rocks. 
Among  the  bushes  they  bray ; 
Under  the  nettles  they  are  gathered  together. 
They  are  children  of  fools,  yea,  children  of  base  men; 
They  were  scourged  out  of  the  land. 

[Job  proceeds  in  awful  humiliation . 
And  now  I  am  become  their  song, 
Yea,  I  am  a  by-word  unto  them. 


ACT  HI.     SCENE  X.  83 

They  abhor  me,  they  stand  aloof  from  me, 

And  spare  not  to  spit  in  my  face. 

For  he  hath  loosed  his  cord,  and  afflicted  me, 

And  they  have  cast  off  the  bridle  before  me. 

Upon  my  right  hand  rise  the  rabble ; 

They  thrust  aside  my  feet, 

And  they  cast  up  against  me  their  ways  of  destruction. 

They  mar  my  path, 

They  set  forward  my  calamity, 

Even  men  that  have  no  helper. 

As  through  a  wide  breach  they  come  : 

In  the  midst  of  the  ruin  they  roll  themselves  upon  me. 

Terrors  are  turned  upon  me, 

They  chase  mine  honor  as  the  wind  ; 

And  my  welfare  is  passed  away  as  the  cloud. 

[He  speaks  of  his  physical  distress. 
And  now  my  soul  is  poured  out  within  me ; 
Days  of  affliction  have  taken  hold  upon  me. 
In  the  night  season  my  bones  are  pierced  in  me, 
And  the  pains  that  gnaw  me  take  no  rest. 
By  the   great   force   of   my   disease   is  my  garment   dis- 
figured : 
It  bindeth  me  about  as  the  collar  of  my  coat. 
He  hath  cast  me  in  the  mire, 
And  I  am  become  like  dust  and  ashes. 

"  I  cry  unto  thee,  and  thou  dost  not  answer  me : 

I  stand  up,  and  thou  lookest  at  me. 

Thou  art  turned  to  be  cruel  to  me : 

With  the  might  of  thy  hand  thou  persecuted  me. 

Thou  liftest  me  up  to  the  wind,  thou  causest  me  to  ride 

upon  it ; 
And  thou  dissolvest  me  in  the  storm. 


84  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 

For  I  know  that  thou  wilt  bring  me  to  death, 
And  to  the  house  appointed  for  all  living." 

[Continues  his  soliloquy  hopefully. 
Surely  against  a  ruinous  heap  he  will  not  put  forth  his  hand  ; 

[Im  m ed  lately  becomes  fretfi 1 1. 
Though  it  be  in  his  destruction,  one  may  utter  a  cry  because 
of  these  things. 
Did  not  I  weep  for  him  that  was  in  trouble? 
Was  not  my  soul  grieved  for  the  needy  ? 

[Moans  on  in  anguish. 
When  I  looked  for  good,  then  evil  came ; 
And  when  I  waited  for  light,  there  came  darkness. 

[Restlessly  paces  to  and  fro. 
My  bowels  boil,  and  rest  not ; 
Days  of  affliction  are  come  upon  me. 
I  go  mourning  without  the  sun  : 
I  stand  up  in  the  assembly,  and  cry  for  help. 
I  am  a  brother  to  jackals, 
And  a  companion  to  ostriches. 
My  skin  is  black,  and  falleth  from  me, 
And  my  bones  are  burned  with  heat ! 
Therefore  is  my  harp  turned  to  mourning, 
And  my  pipe  into  the  voice  of  them  that  weep. 
[Quiet  reigns /    then  Job,  wondering  at  the  cause  of  his 
fate,  recounts  possible  evils  for  which  punishment 
could  come. 

[He  is  not  guilty  of  fornication. 
I  made  a  covenant  with  mine  eyes ; 
How  then  should  I  look  upon  a  maid  ? 
For  what  is  the  portion  from  God  above, 
And  the  heritage  from  the  Almighty  on  high  \ 
Is  it  not  calamity  to  the  unrighteous, 
And  disaster  to  the  workers  of  iniquity? 


ACT  III.     SCENE  X.  85 

[Asserts  his  integrity. 
Doth  not  he  see  my  ways, 
And  number  all  my  steps  ? 
If  I  have  walked  with  vanity, 
And  my  foot  hath  hasted  to  deceit ; 
(Let  me  be  weighed  in  an  even  balance, 
That  God  may  know  mine  integrity ;) 
If  my  step  hath  turned  out  of  the  way, 
And  mine  heart  walked  after  mine  eyes, 
And  if  any  spot  hath  cleaved  to  mine  hands : 
Then  let  me  sow,  and  let  another  eat ; 
Yea,  let  the  produce  of  my  field  be  rooted  out. 

[Not  guilty  of  adultery. 
If  mine  heart  have  been  enticed  unto  a  woman, 
And  I  have  laid  wait  at  my  neighbor's  door : 
Then  let  my  wife  grind  unto  another, 
And  let  others  bow  down  upon  her. 
For  that  were  an  heinous  crime ; 

Yea,  it  were  an  iniquity  to  be  punished  by  the  judges : 
For  it  is  a  fire  that  consumeth  unto  Destruction, 
And  would  root  out  all  mine  increase. 

[Nor  has  he  been  unjust  to  his  servants. 
If  I  did  despise  the  cause  of  my  man-servant  or  of  my 

maid-servant, 
When  they  contended  with  me : 
What  then  shall  I  do  when  God  riseth  up  ? 
And  when  he  visiteth,  what  shall  I  answer  him? 
Did  not  he  that  made  me  in  the  womb  make  him  \ 
And  did  not  one  fashion  us  in  the  womb  ? 

[Nor  neglectful  of  the  poor. 
If  I  have  withheld  the  poor  from  their  desire, 
Or  have  caused  the  eyes  of  the  widow  to  fail ; 
Or  have  eaten  my  morsel  alone, 


8fi  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 


And  the  fatherless  hath  not  eaten  thereof  ; 

(Nay,  from  my  youth  he  grew  up  with  me  as  with  a  father, 

And  her  have  I  guided  from  my  mother's  womb ;) 

If  I  have  seen  any  perish  for  want  of  clothing, 

Or  that  the  needy  had  no  covering ; 

If  his  loins  have  not  blessed  me, 

And  if  lie  were  not  warmed  with  the  fleece  of  my  sheep ; 

It'  I  have  lifted  up  my  hand  against  the  fatherless, 

Because  I  saw  my  help  in  the  gate : 

Then  let  my  shoulder  fall  from  the  shoulder-blade, 

And  mine  arm  be  broken  from  the  bone. 

For  calamity  from  God  was  a  terror  to  me, 

And  by  reason  of  his  majesty  I  could  do  nothing. 

[Neither  miserly,  nor  an  idolater. 
If  I  have  made  gold  my  hope, 

And  have   said  to   the    line  gold,  "  Thou   art   my  confi- 
dence ; " 
If  I  rejoiced  because  my  wealth  was  great, 
And  because  mine  hand  had  gotten  much ; 
If  I  beheld  the  sun  when  it  sinned, 
Or  the  moon  walking  in  brightness  ; 
And  my  heart  hath  been  secretly  enticed, 
And  my  mouth  hath  kissed  my  hand : * 
This  also  were  an  iniquity  to  be  punished  by  the  judges  : 
For  I  should  have  lied  to  God  that  is  above. 

[No-r  did  he  rejoice  over  mem  u  8. 
If  1  rejoiced  at  the  destruction  of  him  that  hated  me, 
Or  lifted  up  myself  when  evil  found  him; 
Yea,  I  suffered  not  my  mouth  to  sin 
By  asking  his  life  with  a  curse  ; 

1  The  worship  of  the  heavenly  bodies  was  the  oldest  and  also  the  purest  form 
of  idolatry.  Kissing  the  hand,  or  throwing  a  kiss  by  the  hand,  was  one  of  the 
forms  which  the  worship  took. — ThornUy  Smith. 


ACT  III.     SCENE  X.  87 

[Not  inhospitable. 
If  the  men  of  my  tent  said  not, 

"  Who  can  find  one  that  hath  not  been  filled  with  his  meat  ? " 
The  stranger  did  not  lodge  in  the  street ; 
But  I  opened  my  doors  to  the  traveler ; 

[Did  not  fear  the  people. 
If  like  Adam  I  covered  my  transgressions, 
By  hiding  iniquity  in  my  bosom  ; 
Because  I  feared  the  great  multitude, 
And  the  contempt  of  families  terrified  me, 
So  that  I  kept  silence,  and  went  not  out  of  the  door : 
{Here  Job  breaks  off  his  retrospect  and  exclaims  with  hon- 
est pride  and  longing : 

0  that  I  had  one  to  hear  me ! 

(Lo,  here  is  my  signature,  [that  is,  my  innocence  !  ]  let  [even] 

the  Almighty  answer  me  ; ) 
And  that  I  had  the  indictment  which  mine  adversary  hath 

written  ! 
Surely  I  would  carry  it  upon  my  shoulder ; 

1  would  bind  it  unto  me  as  a  crown. 

I  would  declare  unto  him  the  number  of  my  steps ; 

As  a  prince  would  I  go  near  unto  him. 

[Since  Job  has  never  injured  man  he  calls  upon  the  very 

earth  itself  to  punish  him  if  he  has  wronged  it. 
If  my  land  cry  out  against  me, 
And  the  furrows  thereof  weep  together ; 
If  I  have  eaten  the  fruits  thereof  without  money, 
Or  have  caused  the  owners  thereof  to  lose  their  life  : 
Let  thistles  grow  instead  of  wheat, 
And  cockle  instead  of  barley.  [Exit.1 

1  "  The  words  of  Job  are  ended. 

"  So  [also]  these  three  men  ceased  to  answer  Job,  because  he  was  righteous  in 
his  own  eves." 


88  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WOULD. 


PROLOGUE  TO  ACT  IV. 

Then  was  kindled  the  wrath  of  Elilm  the  son  of  Barachel 
the  Buzite,  of  the  family  of  Bam  : 

I. 

Against  Job  was  his  wrath   kindled,  because  he  justified 
himself  rather  than  God. 

II. 
Also  against  his  three  friends  was  his  wrath  kindled,  be- 
cause they  had  found  no  answer,  and  yet  had  con- 
demned Job. 

Now  Elihu  had  waited  to  speak  unto  Job,  because  they 

were  elder  than  he. 
And  when  Elihu  saw  that  there  was  no  answer   in  the 

mouth  of  these  three  men,  his  wrath  was  kindled. 
And  Elihu  the  son  of  Barachel  the  Buzite  answered  and 

said  :     {See  Act  IV,  Scene  /,  line  1.) 


ACT  IV.    SCENE  L 


Hi) 


ACT  IV. 

Scene  I.     An  Open  Tent. 

Job  "  within. 
Enter  Elihu,  expostulating  with  the  Three  Friends. 

Elihu.     I  am  young,  and  ye  are  very  old  ; 
Wherefore   I  held  back,  and  durst  not  show  you   mine 

opinion. 
I  said,  "  Days  should  speak,  > 

And  multitude  of  years  should  teach  wisdom. 
But  there  is  a  spirit  in  man, 
And  the  breath  of  the  Almighty  giveth  them  understand- 

ing. 
It  is  not  the  great  that  are  wise, 
Nor  the  aged  that  understand  judgment. 
Therefore^  said,  "Hearken  to  me ; 
I  also  will  show  mine  opinion." 


90  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IK  THE  WORLD. 

Behold,  I  waited  for  your  words, 

I  listened  for  your  reasons, 

Whilst  ye  searched  out  what  to  say. 

Yea,  I  attended  unto  you, 

And,  behold,  there  was  none  that  convinced  Job, 

Or  that  answered  his  words,  among  you. 

Beware  lest  ye  say,  "  We  have  found  wisdom  ; " 

God  may  vanquish  him,  not  man  : 

For  he  hath  not  directed  his  words  against  me ; 

Neither  will  I  answer  him  with  your  speeches. 

[Approaches  Job  and  soliloquizes. 
They  are  amazed,  they  answer  no  more  : 
They  have  not  a  word  to  say. 
And  shall  I  wait,  because  they  speak  not, 
Because  they  stand  still,  and  answer  no  more  ? 

1  also  will  answer  my  part, 
I  also  will  show  mine  opinion. 
For  I  am  full  of  words  ; 
The  spirit  within  me  constraineth  me. 
Behold,  my  breast  is  as  wine  which  hath  no  vent ; 
Like  new  bottles  it  is  ready  to  burst. 
I  will  speak,  that  I  may  he  refreshed; 
I  will  open  my  lips  and  answer. 

\To  Job.]  Let  me  not,  I  pray  you,  respect  any  man's  person  : 

Neither  will  I  give  flattering  titles  to  any  man. 

For  I  know  not  to  give  flattering  titles; 

Else  would  mv  Maker  soon  take  me  away. 

Howbeit,  Job,  I  pray  thee,  hear  my  speech, 

And  hearken  to  all  my  words. 

Behold,  now  [that]  I  have  opened  my  mouth, 

[That]  mv  tongue  hath  spoken  in  my  mouth, 

My  words  shall  utter  the  uprightness  of  my  heart : 


ACT  IV.     SCENE!  91 


And  that  which  my  lips  know  they  shall  speak  sincerely. 

The  spirit  of  God  hath  made  me, 
And  the  breath  of  the  Almighty  giveth  me  life. 
If  thou  canst,  answer  thou  me  ; 
Set  thy  words  in  order  before  me,  stand  forth. 
Behold,  I  am  toward  God  even  as  thou  art : 
I  also  am  formed  out  of  the  clay. 
Behold,  my  terror  shall  not  make  thee  afraid, 
Neither  shall  my  pressure  be  heavy  upon  thee. 

[Begins  his  opposition  by  citing  Job's  own  words. 
Surely  thou  hast  spoken  in  mine  hearing, 
And  I  have  heard  the  voice  of  thy  words,  saying, 

First  Statement. 
"  I  am  clean,  without  transgression ; 
I  am  innocent,  neither  is  there  iniquity  in  me : 
Behold,  he  findeth  occasions  against  me, 
He  counteth  me  for  his  enemy  ; 
He  putteth  my  feet  in  the  stocks, 
He  marketh  all  my  paths." 


First  Argument. 
Behold,  I  will  answer  thee,  in  this  thou  art  not  just; 
For  God  is  greater  than  man. 
Why  dost  thou  strive  against  him  ? 
For  he  giveth  not  account  of  any  of  his  matters. 

[Yet  Elihu  shows  that  God  does  two  things. 
For  God  speaketh  once, 
Yea  twice,  though  man  regard eth  it  not. 

I. 
In  a  dream,  in  a  vision  of  the  night, 
When  deep  sleep  falleth  upon  men, 


!»J  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 

In  slumberings  upon  the  bed ; 

Then  lie  openeth  the  ears  of  men, 

And  sealeth  their  instruction,- 

That  he  may  withdraw  man  from  his  purpose, 

And  hide  pride  from  man  ; 

He  keepeth  back  his  soul  from  the  pit, 

And  his  life  from  perishing  by  the  sword. 

II. 

He  is  chastened  also  with  pain  upon  his  bed,  [as  thou  <irt<] 

And  with  continual  strife  in  his  bones  : 

So  that  his  life  abhor reth  bread, 

And  his  soul  dainty  meat. 

His  flesh  is  consumed  away,  that  it  cannot  be  seen  ; 

And  his  bones  that  were  not  seen  stick  out,  [as  do  thine.] 

Yea,  his  soul  draweth  near  unto  the  pit, 

And  his  life  to  the  destroyers. 

If  there  be  with  him  an  angel, 
An  interpreter,  one  among  a  thousand, 
To  show  unto  man  what  is  right  for  him  ; 
Then  he  is  gracious  unto  him,  and  saith, 
"  Deliver  him  from  going  down  to  the  pit, 
I  have  found  a  ransom." 

His  flesh  shall  be  fresher  than  a  child's ; 
He  return eth  to  the  days  of  his  youth  : 
He  prayeth  unto  God,  and  he  is  favorable  unto  him ; 
So  that  he  seeth  his  face  with  joy  : 
And  he  restoreth  unto  man  his  righteousness. 
He  singe th  before  men,  and  saith, 
"  I  have  sinned,  and  perverted  that  which  was  right, 
And  it  profited  me  not : 

He  hath  redeemed  my  soul  from  going  into  the  pit, 
And  my  life  shall  behold  the  light." 


ACT  IV.     SCENE  I.  93 


Lo,  all  these  things  doth  God  work, 
Twice,  yea  thrice,  with  a  man, 
To  bring  back  his  soul  from  the  pit, 
That  he  may  be  enlightened  with  the  light  of  the  living. 

Preface  to  Second  Statement  and  Argument. 

Mark  well,  O  Job,  hearken  unto  me  : 

Hold  thy  peace,  and  I  will  speak. 

If  thou  hast  any  thing  to  say,  answer  me : 

Speak,  for  I  desire  to  justify  thee. 

If  not,  hearken  thou  unto  me  : 

Hold  thy  peace,  and  I  will  teach  thee  wisdom. 

[Job  will  not  speak,  and  Elihu x  again  addresses  the  Three 

Friends. 

Hear  my  words,  ye  wise  men  ; 

And  give  ear  unto  me,  ye  that  have  knowledge. 

For  the  ear  trieth  words, 

As  the  palate  tasteth  meat. 

Let  us  choose  for  us  that  which  is  right : 
Let  us  know  among  ourselves  what  is  good. 
For  Job  hath  said  : 

Second  Statement. 
"  I  am  righteous, 

And  God  hath  taken  away  my  right : 
Notwithstanding  my  right  I  am  accounted  a  liar ; 
My  wound  is   incurable,  though  I  am  without  transgres- 
sion." 
What  man  is  like  Job, 
Who  drinketh  up  scorning  like  water  ? 

1  "Moreover  Elihu  answered  and  said,"  etc. 


94  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 

Which  goeth  in  company  with  the  workers  of  iniquity, 

And  walketh  with  wicked  men. 

For  lie  hath  said, 

"  It  profiteth  a  man  nothing 

That  he  should  delight  himself  with  God." 

Second  Argument. 
I.  (To  the  Three.) 
Therefore  hearken  unto  me,  ye  men  of  understanding: 
Far  be  it  from  God,  that  he  should  do  wickedness ; 
And  from  the  Almighty,  that  lie  should  commit  iniquity, 
For  the  work  of  a  man  shall  he  render  unto  him, 
And  cause  every  man  to  find  according  to  his  ways. 
Yea,  of  a  surety,  God  will  not  do  wickedly, 
Neither  will  the  Almighty  pervert  judgment. 
Who  gave  him  a  charge  over  the  earth? 
Or  who  hath  disposed  the  whole  world  ? 
If  he  set  his  heart  upon  man, 

If  he  gather  unto  himself  his  spirit  and  his  breath  ; 
All  flesh  shall  perish  together, 
And  man  shall  turn  again  unto  dust. 

II.  {To  Job.) 
If  now  thou  hast  understanding,  hear  this  : 
Hearken  to  the  voice  of  my  words. 

Shall  even  one  that  hateth  right  govern  ? 
And  wilt  thou  condemn  him  that  is  just  and  mighty  \ 
Is  it  fit  to  say  to  a  king,  "  Thou  art  vile  \  " 
( )r  to  nobles,  "  Ye  are  wicked  \  " 
How  much  less  to  him  that  reepeeteth  not  the  persons  of 

princes, 
Nor  regardeth  the  rich  more  than  the  poor? 
For  they  are  all  the  work  of  his  hands. 


ACT  IV.     SCENE  I.  95 

In  a  moment  they  die,  even  at  midnight; 

The  people  are  shaken  and  pass  away, 

And  the  mighty  are  taken  away  without  hand. 

For  his  eyes  are  upon  the  ways  of  a  man, 

And  he  seeth  all  his  goings. 

There  is  no  darkness,  nor  shadow  of  death, 

Where  the  workers  of  iniquity  may  hide  themselves. 

For  he  needeth  not  further  to  consider  a  man, 

That  he  should  go  before  God  in  judgment. 

He  breaketh  in  pieces  mighty  men  in  ways  past  finding 
out, 
And  setteth  others  in  their  stead. 
Therefore  he  taketh  knowledge  of  their  works ; 
And  he  overturneth  them  in  the  night,  so  that  they  are 

destroyed. 
He  striketh  them  as  wicked  men 
In  the  open  sight  of  others ; 
Because  they  turned  aside  from  following  him, 
And  would  not  have  regard  to  any  of  his  ways  : 
So  that  they  caused  the  cry  of  the  poor  to  come  unto  him, 
And  he  heard  the  cry  of  the  afflicted. 

He  giveth  quietness,  who  then  can  condemn  him  ? 
And  when  he  hideth  his  face,  who  then  can  behold  him  ? 
Alike  whether  it  be  done  unto  a  nation,  or  unto  a  man  : 
That  the  godless  man  reign  not, 
That  there  be  none  to  ensnare  the  people. 
For  hath  any  said  unto  God, 

"  I  have  borne  chastisement,  I  will  not  offend  any  more  : 
That  which  I  see  not  teach  thou  me : 
If  I  have  done  iniquity,  I  will  do  it  no  more  '.  " 
Shall  his  recompense  be  as  thou  wilt,  that  thou  refusest  it  ? 
For  thou  [Job]  must  choose,  and  not  I : 
Therefore  speak  what  thou  knowest. 


96  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 

[Job   does  not  deign  to  notia   ELihu  y  so,  exasperated,  he 

drops  the  ary  an  tent  ami  turns  to  the  Three. 
Men  of  understanding  will  say  unto  me, 
Yea,  every  wise  man  that  heareth  me : 
Job  speaketh  without  knowledge, 
And  his  words  are  without  wisdom. 

Would  that  Job  were  tried  unto  the  end, 
Because  of  his  answering  like  wicked  men. 
For  he  addeth  rebellion  unto  his  sin, 
He  clappeth  his  hands  among  us, 
And  multiplieth  his  words  against  God. 

Third  Statement.1 

[To  Job.]  Thinkest  thou  this  to  be  thy  right, 
Or  sayest  thou,  "  My  righteousness  is  more  than  God's," 
That  thou  sayest,  "  What  advantage  will  it  be  unto  thee?  " 
And,  u  What  profit  shall  I  have  more  than  if  I  had  sinned  ? " 
I  will  answer  thee, 
And  thy  companions  with  thee.2 

Third  Argument. 

Look  unto  the  heavens,  and  see; 
And  behold  the  skies,  which  are  higher  than  thou. 
If  thou  hast  sinned,  what  effectest  thou  against  him  ? 
And  if  thy  transgressions  be  multiplied,  what  doest  thou 

unto  him  \ 
If  thou  be  righteous,  what  givest  thou  him  I 
Or  what  receiveth  he  of  thine  hand? 
Thy  wickedness  may  hurt  a  man  as  thou  art; 

1  "  Moreover  Elihu  answered  and  said,"  etc. 

'l  Eliho  had  not  secured  much  sympathy  from  the  Three  in  his  appeal  to  them 
a  few  moments  before. 


ACT  IV.     SCENE  I.  97 

And  thy  righteousness  may  profit  a  son  of  man. 

By  reason  of  the  multitude  of  oppressions  they  [sons  of 

men]  cry  out ; 
They  cry  for  help  by  reason  of  the  arm  of  the  mighty. 
But  none  saith, 
"  Where  is  God  my  Maker, 
Who  giveth  songs  in  the  night ; 
Who  teacheth  us  more  than  the  beasts  of  the  earth, 
And  maketh  us  wiser  than  the  fowls  of  heaven  ? " 
There  they  cry,  but  none  giveth  answer, 
Because  of  the  pride  of  evil  men. 

Surely  God  will  not  hear  vanity, 
Neither  will  the  Almighty  regard  it. 

How  much  less  when  thou  sayest  thou  beholdest  him  not, 
The  cause  is  before  him,  and  thou  waitest  for  him  ! 

\Turns  away  from,  Job  contemptuously  and  addresses  the 

Friends. 
But  now,  because  he  hath  not  visited  in  his  anger, 
Neither  doth  he  greatly  regard  arrogance  ; 
Therefore  doth  Job  open  his  mouth  in  vanity; 
He  multiplieth  words  without  knowledge. 

[Exeunt  Eliphaz,  Bildad,  Zophar,  and  Elihu. 
7 


98 


THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 


Scene  II.     A  Covered  Place. 

Time,  night.     Lamp  "burning. 

Enter  Job,  followed  anon  by  Elihu. 

Elihu.1     [To  Job.]     Suffer  me  a  little,  and  I  will  show 
thee ; 
For  I  have  yet  somewhat  to  say  on  God's  behalf. 
I  will  fetch  my  knowledge  from  afar, 
A;id  will  ascribe  righteousness  to  my  Maker. 
For  truly  my  words  are  not  false  : 
One  that  is  perfect2  in  knowledge  is  with  thee. 

1 "  Elihu  also  proceeded,  and  Baid,"  etc. 

2 That  is,  one  who  knows  what  he  is  about  when  ho  speaks  on  this  subject. 


ACT  IV.     SCENE  II.  99 

Fourth  Argument. 

Behold,  God  is  mighty,  and  despiseth  not  any: 
He  is  mighty  in  strength  of  understanding. 
He  preserveth  not  the  life  of  the  wicked  : 
But  giveth  to  the  afflicted  their  right. 
He  withdraweth  not  his  eyes  from  the  righteous  : 
But  with  kings  upon  the  throne 
He  setteth  them  forever,  and  they  are  exalted. 
And  if  they  be  bound  in  fetters, 
And  be  taken  in  the  cords  of  affliction  ; 
Then  he  showeth  them  their  work, 

And   their  transgressions,  that  they   have  behaved  them- 
selves proudly. 
He  openeth  also  their  ear  to  instruction, 
And  commandeth  that  they  return  from  iniquity. 
If  they  hearken  and  serve  him, 
They  shall  spend  their  days  in  prosperity, 
And  their  years  in  pleasures. 

But  if  they  hearken  not,  they  shall  perish  by  the  sword, 
And  they  shall  die  without  knowledge. 
But  [if]  they  that  are  godless  in  heart  lay  up  anger : 
They  cry  not  for  help  when  he  bindeth  them. 
They  die  in  youth, 
And  their  life  perisheth  among  the  unclean. 

He  delivereth  the  afflicted  by  his  affliction, 
And  openeth  their  ear  in  oppression. 
Yea,  he  would  have  led  thee  away  out  of  distress 
Into  a  broad  place,  where  there  is  no  straitness ; 
And  that  which  is  set  on  thy  table  shall  be  full  of  fatness. 
\Elihu  now  despairs  of  mooing  impenitent  Job. 
But  thou  art  full  of  the  judgment  of  the  wicked : 
Judgment  and  justice  take  hold  on  thee  !  [Angrily. 


100  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 

[Job  moves  impatiently,  and  Eliliu  hastens  to  say. 
For  let  not  wrath  stir  thee  up  against  chastisements ; 
Neither  let  the  greatness  of  the  ransom  turn  thee  aside. 
Will  thy  riches  suffice,  that  thou  be  not  in  distress, 
Or  all  the  forces  of  thy  strength  ? 

[Elihu  proceeds  to  warn  1dm. 
Desire  not  the  night, 
When  peoples  are  cut  off  in  their  place. 
Take  heed,  regard  not  iniquity  : 
For  this  hast  thou  chosen  rather  than  affliction. 
Behold,  God  doeth  loftily  in  his  power : 
Who  is  a  teacher  like  unto  him  ? 
Who  hath  enjoined  him  his  way  ? 
Or  who  can  say, 
"  Thou  hast  wrought  unrighteousness  ? " 

Remember  that  thou  magnify  his  work,  whereof  men 
have  simg. 
All  men  have  looked  thereon ; 
Man  beholdeth  it  afar  off. 

Behold,  God  is  great,  and  we  know  him  not ; 
The  number  of  his  years  is  unsearchable. 

[Heavy  rain. 
For  he  draweth  up  the  drops  of  water, 
Which  distill  in  rain  from  his  vapor: 
Which  the  skies  pour1  down 
And  drop  upon  man  abundantly. 

Yea,  can  any  understand  the  spreadings  of  the  clouds? 
The  thunderings  of  his  pavilion  \ 

Behold,  he  spreadeth  his  light  around  him;      [Lightning, 
And  he  covereth  the  bottom  of  the  sea. 

1  Literally,  "are  pouring  down." 


ACT  IV.     SCENE  II.  101 

For  by  these  lie  judgeth  the  peoples  ; 

He  giveth  meat  in  abundance. 

He  covereth  his  hands  with  the  lightning  ; 

O  O     7 

And  giveth  it  a  charge  that  it  strike  the  mark.  [Storming. 

The  noise  thereof  telleth  concerning  him, 

The  cattle  also  concerning  the  storm  that  cometh  up. 

[Great  storming  ;  Elihu  is  frightened. 
Yea,  at  this  my  heart  trembleth, 

And  is  moved  out  of  its  place.  [Storming. 

Hear,  O  hear  the  noise  of  his  voice, 
And  the  sound  that  goeth  out  of  his  mouth. 

[EliJnc  excitedly. 
He  sendeth  it  forth  under  the  whole  heaven, 
And  his  lightning  unto  the  ends  of  the  earth. 
After  it  a  voice  roareth  ;         [Continuous  flash  and  roar. 
He  thundereth  with  the  voice  of  his  majesty : 
And  he  stayeth  them  not  when  his  voice  is  heard. 
[Elihu  in  a  lull  of  the    storm,  which  is  noio  evidently 

nearing  its  height,  philosophizes. 
God  thundereth  marvelously  with  his  voice ; 
Great  things  doeth  he,  which  we  cannot  comprehend. 
For  he  saith  to  the  snow,  "  Fall  thou  on  the  earth ; " 
Likewise  to  the  sjiower  of  rain, 
And  to  the  showers  of  his  mighty  rain. 
He  sealeth  up  the  hand  of  every  man ; 
That  all  men  whom  he  hath  made  may  know  it. 
Then  the  beasts  go  into  coverts, 
And  remain  in  their  dens. 

Out  of  the  chamber  of  the  south  cometh  the  storm: 
And  cold  out  of  the  north. 
By  the  breath  of  God  ice  is  given : 
And  the  breadth  of  the  waters  is  straitened. 
Yea,  he  ladeth  the  thick  cloud  with  moisture  ; 


102     THE  OLDEST  DRAMA   TN  THE  WOULD. 


He  Bpreadeth  abroad  the  cloud  of  his  lightning: 

And  it  is  turned  round  about  by  hi 8  guidance, 

That  they  may  do  whatsoever  he  commandeth  them 

Upon  the  face  of  the  habitable  world  : 

Whether  it  be  for  correction,  or  for  his  land, 

Or  for  mercy,  that  he  cause  it  to  come.   [  V/m  .storm,  rage** 

Hearken  unto  this,  ( )  Job  ! 

Stand  still,  and  consider  the  wondrous  works  of  God. 

Dost  thou  know  how  God  layeth  his  charge  upon  them. 

And  causeth  the  lightning  of  his  cloud  to  shine? 

Dost  thou  know  the  balancings  of  the  clouds, 

The  wondrous  works  of  him  which  is  perfect  in  knowledge  \ 

How  thy  garments  are  warm, 

When  the  earth  is  still  by  reason  of  the  south  wind  | 

|  Fierce  lightning. 
Canst  thou  with  him  spread  out  the  sky, 
Which  is  strong  as  a  molten  mirror? 

[77/6  lightnings  leave  intense  darkness  <>r<  r  the  s&  /><•. 
Teach  us  what  we  shall  say  unto  him  I  now); 
For  we  cannot  order  our  speech  by  reason  of  darkness. 
Shall  it  he  told  him  that   I  would  speak  \ 
Or  should  a  man  wish  that  he  were  swallowed  up  \ 

|  A  long  pa/use  while  the  .storm,  is  passing  away. 
And  now  men  see  not  the  lighl  which  is  bright  in  the  skies  : 
But  the  wind  passoth,  and  cleareth  them. 
Out  of  the  north  conieth  golden  splendor : 
God  hath  upon  him  terrible  majesty. 

|  Elihu  won  turns  to  Job  with  this  conclusion. 
Touching  the   A.1  mighty,  we  cannot  find  him  out;  he  id 

excellent  in  power : 

And  in  judgment  and  plenteous  justice  he  will  not  afflict. 
Men  do  therefore  fear  him  : 

lie  regardeth  not  any  that  are  wise  of  heart.  \Ekeunt 


ACT  V.-    SCENE  I.  103 


ACT    V. 

Scene  I.     A   Covered  Place.     Dawn.     The  Lord  in  a 
1 1 7/  irlwind. 

Enter  Jon. 
Tlve  Lord}     Who  is  this  that  darkeneth  counsel 
By  words  without  knowledge  ? 
Gird  up  now  thy  loins  like  a  man  ; 
For  I  will  demand  of  thee,  and  declare  thou  unto  me. 

First  Series  of  Questions  :  Inanimate  Creation. 
Where  wast  thou  when  I  laid  the  foundations  of  the  earth  \ 
Declare,  if  thou- hast  understanding.  [No  answer. 

Who  determined  the  measures  thereof,  it*  thou  knowest? 
Or  who  stretched  the  line  upon  it? 
Whereupon  were  the  foundations  thereof  fastened  ? 
Or  who  laid  the  corner-stone  thereof ; 
When  the  morning  stars  sang  together, 
And  all  the  sons  of  God  shouted  for  joy  I 

[Silence,  then   a  whirl  mind. 

'  "  Then  the  Lord  answered  Job  out  of  the  whirlwind,  and  said,"  etc. 


104  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 

Or  who  shut  up  the  sea  with  doors, 

When  it  brake  forth,  as  if  it  had  issued  out  of  the  womb ; 

When  I  made  the  cloud  the  garment  thereof, 

And  thick  darkness  a  swaddling-band  for  it, 

And  marked  out  for  it  my  bound, 

And  set  bars  and  doors, 

And  said,  "  Hitherto  shalt  thou  come,  but  no  further ; 

And  here  shall  thy  proud  waves  be  stayed  % " 

[Silence,  and  whirlwind. 
Hast  thou  commanded  the  morning  since  thy  days  began, 
And  caused  the  dayspring  to  know  its  place ; 
That  it  might  take  hold  of  the  ends  of  the  earth, 
And  the  wicked  be  shaken  out  of  it  ? 
It  is  changed  as  clay  under  the  seal ; 
And  all  things  stand  forth  as  a  garment : 
And  from  the  wicked  their  light  is  withholden, 
And  the  high  arm  is  broken.         [Silence,  and,  whirlwind. 

Hast  thou  entered  into  the  springs  of  the  sea? 
Or  hast  thou  walked  in  the  recesses  of  the  deep? 
Have  the  gates  of  death  been  revealed  unto  thee  ? 
Or  hast  thou  seen  the  gates  of  the  shadow  of  death  ? 
Hast  thou  comprehended  the  earth  in  its  breadth  ? 
Declare,  if  thou  knowest  it  all.  [No  reply. 

Where  is  the  way  to  the  dwelling  of  light. 
And  as  for  darkness,  where  is  the  place  thereof  ; 
That  thou  shouldest  take  it  to  the  bound  thereof, 
And  that  thou  shouldest  discern  the  paths  to  the  house 

thereof  ? 
Doubtless,  thou  knowest,  for  thou  wast  then  born, 
And  the  number  of  thy  days  is  great ! 

[Silence,  and  whirlwind. 
Hast  thou  entered  the  treasuries  of  the  snow, 
Or  hast  thou  seen  the  treasuries  of  the  hail, 


ACT  V.     SCENE  I.  105 


Which  I  have  reserved  against  the  time  of  trouble, 
Against  the  day  of  battle  and  war  % 

[Pause,  and  whirlwind. 
By  what  way  is  the  light  parted, 
Or  the  east  wind  scattered  upon  the  earth  ? 
Who  hath  cleft  a  channel  for  the  water-flood, 
Or  a  way  for  the  lightning  of  the  thunder  ; 
To  cause  it  to  rain  on  a  land  where  no  man  is  ; 
On  the  wilderness,  wherein  there  is  no  man  ; 
To  satisfy  the  waste  and  desolate  ground ; 
And  to  cause  the  tender  grass  to  spring  forth  ? 

Hath  the  rain  a  father  % 
Or  who  hath  begotten  the  drops  of  dew  ? 
Out  of  whose  womb  came  the  ice  ? 
And  the  hoary  frost  of  heaven,  who  hath  gendered  it  ? 
The  waters  hide  themselves  and  become  like  stone, 
And  the  face  of  the  deep  is  frozen. 

{Pause,  and  whirlwind. 
Canst  thou  bind  the  cluster  of  the  Pleiades, 
Or  loose  the  bands  of  Orion  ? 

Canst  thou  lead  forth  the  Mazzaroth  in  their  season  ? 
Or  canst  thou  guide  the  Bear  with  her  train  ? 
Knowest  thou  the  ordinances  of  the  heavens  ? 
Canst  thou  establish  the  dominion  thereof  in  the  earth  ? 
Canst  thou  lift  up  thy  voice  to  the  clouds, 
That  abundance  of  waters  may  cover  thee  ? 
Canst  thou  send  forth  lightnings,  that  they  may  go, 
And  say  unto  thee,  "  Here  we  are  ?  " 
[Job,  perhaps  thinking  of  the  great  storm,  is  silent  still. 

See  Act  IV,  Scene  II. 
Who  hath  put  wisdom  in  the  dark  clouds  ? 1 
Or  who  hath  given  understanding  to  the  meteor? x 

1  Marginal  readings. 


106  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA   IN  THE  WORLD. 


[  Whirlwind. 
Who  can  number  the  clouds  by  wisdom  ? 
Or  who  can  pour  out  the  bottles  of  heaven, 
When  the  dust  runneth  into  a  mass, 
And  the  clods  cleave  fast  together  ? 

Second  Series  of  Questions  :  The  Animal  Creation. 

Wilt  thou  hunt  the  prey  for  the  lioness  ? 
Or  satisfy  the  appetite  of  the  young  lions, 
When  they  crouch  in  their  dens, 
And  abide  in  the  covert  to  lie  in  wait  ? 

[Pause,  and  whirlwind* 
Who  provideth  for  the  raven  his  prey, 
When  his  young  ones  cry  unto  God, 

And  wander  for  lack  of  meat?       [Pause,  and  whirlwind. 
Knowest  thou  the  time  when  the  wild  goats  of  the  rock 

bring  forth  ? 
Or  canst  thou  mark  when  the  hinds  do  calve  ? 
Canst  thou  number  the  months  that  they  fulfill  ? 
Or  knowest  thou  the  time  when  they  bring  forth  ? 
They  bow  themselves,  they  bring  forth  their  young, 
They  cast  out  their  sorrows. 
Their  young  ones  are  in  good  liking,  they  grow  up  in  the 

open  field  ; 
They  go  forth,  and  return  not  again. 

[Pause,  and  whirlwiml. 
Who  hath  sent  out  the  wild  ass  free? 
Or  who  hath  loosed  the  bands  of  the  swift  ass  \ l 

1  Xenophon,  speaking  of  the  inarch  through  Arabia,  wrote:  "There  were 
wild  animal-,  however,  of  various  kinds;  the  most  numerous  Were  wild  asse*. 
There  were  also  many  ostriches,  as  well  as  bustards  and  antelopes;  and  these 
animals  the  horsemen  of  the  army  sometimes  hunted.  The  wild  asses,  when 
any  one  pursued  them,  would  start  forward  a  considerable  distance,  and  then 
stand  still  (for  they  ran  much  more  swittly  than  the  horse) ;  and  again  when 


ACT  V.     SCENE  I.  107 


Whose  house  I  have  made  the  wilderness, 

And  the  salt  land  his  dwelling-place. 

He  scorneth  the  tumult  of  the  city, 

Neither  heareth  he  the  shoutings  of  the  driver. 

The  range  of  the  mountains  is  his  pasture, 

And  he  searcheth  after  every  green  thing. 

[Pause,  and  wJiirhoind. 

Will  the  wild  ox  be  content  to  serve  thee? 

Or  will  he  abide  by  thy  crib  ? 

Canst  thou  bind  the  wild  ox  with   his  band  in  the  fur- 
row \ 

Or  will  he  harrow  the  valleys  after  thee  ? 

Wilt  thou  trust  him,  because  his  strength  is  great  ? 

Or  wilt  thou  leave  to  him  thy  labor  ? 

Wilt  thou  confide  in   him,  that  he  will  bring  home  thy 
seed, 

And  gather  the  corn  of  thy  threshing-floor  ? 

[Pause,  and  whirlwind. 

The  wings  of  the  ostrich  wave  proudly  ; 

But  are  they  the  pinions  and  plumage  of  love  % 

For  she  leaveth  her  eggs  on  the  earth, 

And  warmeth  them  in  the  dust, 

And  forgetteth  that  the  foot  may  crush  them, 

Or  that  the  wild  beast  may  trample  them. 

She  dealeth  hardly  with  her  young  ones,  as  if   they  wire 
not  hers : 

Though  her  labor  be  in  vain,  she  is  without,  fear ; 

Because  God  hath  deprived  her  of  wisdom, 

Neither  hath  he  imparted  to  her  understanding. 

the  horse  approached  they  did  the  same;  and  it  was  impossible  to  catch  them, 
unless  the  horsemen,  stationing  themselves  at  intervals,  kept  up  the  pursuit 
with  a  succession  of  horses.  The  flesh  of  those  that  were  taken  resemhhd 
venison,  but  was  more  tender."— A nabasis. 


His  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 

What  time  she  lifteth  up  herself  on  high, 
She  scorneth  the  horse  and  his  rider.1 

[Pause,  and  whirlwind. 
Hast  thou  given  the  horse  his  might  ? 
Hast  thou  clothed  his  neck  with  the  quivering  mane  ? 
I  Fast  thou  made  him  leap  as  a  locust  ? 
The  glory  of  his  snorting  is  terrible. 
He  paweth  in  the  valley,  and  rejoiceth  in  his  strength  : 
He  goeth  out  to  meet  the  armed  men. 
He  mocketh  at  fear,  and  is  not  dismayed; 
Neither  turneth  he  back  from  the  sword. 
The  quiver  rattleth  against  him, 
The  flashing  spear  and  the  javelin. 
He  swalloweth  the  ground  with  fierceness  and  rage  ; 
Neither  believeth  he  that  it  is  the  voice  of  the  trumpet. 
As  oft  as  the  trumpet  soundeth  he  saith,  Aha  ! 
And  he  smelleth  the  battle  afar  off, 
The  thunder  of  the  captains,  and  the  shouting. 

[Pause,  and  whirlwind. 
Doth  the  hawk  soar  by  thy  wisdom, 
And  stretch  her  wings  toward  the  south  ? 

Doth  the  eagle  mount  up  at  thy  command, 
And  make  her  nest  on  high  ? 
On  the  cliff  she  dwelleth  and  maketh  her  home, 
Upon  the  point  of  the  cliff,  and  the  stronghold. 
From  thence  she  spieth  out  the  prey  ; 
Her  eyes  behold  it  afar  off. 
Her  young  ones  also  suck  up  blood  : 
And  where  the  slain  are,  there  is  she. 

1  "An  ostrich  no  one  succeeded  in  catching  ;  and  those  horsemen  who  hunted 
that  bird  soon  desisted  from  the  pursuit;  for  it  far  outstripped  them  in  its 
flight,  using  its  feet  for  running,  and  its  wings,  raising  them  like  a  sail." — Ana- 
basis. 


ACT  V.     SCENE  I.  109 


Shall1  he  that  cavileth  contend  with  the  Almighty  ? 
He  that  argueth  with  God,  let  him  answer  it. 

[God  awaits  JoVs  answer. 

Job?     Behold,   I  am  of   small  account ;  what  shall  I  an- 
swer thee  ? 
I  lay  my  hand  upon  my  mouth. 
Once  have  I  spoken,  and  I  will  not  answer ; 
Yea  twice,  but  I  will  proceed  no  further.   [End  of  Scene  I. 

1  "  Moreover  the  Lord  answered  Job,  and  said,"  etc. 
2 "  Then  Job  answered  the  Lord,  and  said,"  etc. 


110 


THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 


Scene  II.     As  before.      Later.      The  Lord  in   a  Whirl- 
wind. 

Job  Alone. 

The  Lord.  1Gird  up  thy  loins  now  like  a  man: 
I  will  demand  of  thee,  and  declare  thou  unto  me. 

[Job  arises. 
"Wilt  thou  even  disannul  my  judgment  ? 
Wilt  thou  condemn  me,  that  thou  may  est  be  justified  ? 
Or  hast  thou  an  arm  like  God  ? 
And  canst  thou  thunder  with  a  voice  like  him  ? 

\No  anstxh  r. 
Deck  thyself  now  with  excellency  and  dignity ; 
And  array  thyself  with  honor  and  majesty. 
Pour  forth  the  overflowings  of  thine  anger  : 
And  look  upon  every  one  that  is  proud,  and  abase  him. 
Look  upon  every  one  that  is  proud,  and  bring  him  low  ; 
And  tread  down  the  wicked  where  they  stand. 
Hide  them  in  the  dust  together  ; 

1  u  Then  the  Lord  answered  Job  out  of  the  whirlwind,  and  said/'  etc. 


ACT  V.     SCENE  II  Ill 

Bind  their  faces  in  the  hidden  place. 

Then  will  I  also  confess  of  thee 

That  thine  own  right  hand  can  save  thee. 

Second  Series  Continued  : 1     Animal  Creation. 

Behold  now  behemoth,2  which  I  made  as  well  as  thee ; 

He  eateth  grass  as  an  ox. 

Lo  now,  his  strength  is  in  his  loins, 

And  his  force  is  in  the  muscles  of  his  belly. 

He  moveth  his  tail  like  a  cedar : 

The  sinews  of  his  thighs  are  knit  together. 

His  bones  are  as  tubes  of  brass ; 

His  limbs  are  like  bars  of  iron. 

He  is  chief  of  the  ways  of  God  : 

He  only  that  made  him  giveth  him  his  sword. 

Surely  the  mountains  bring  him  forth  food  ; 
Where  all  the  beasts  of  the  field  do  play. 
He  lieth  under  the  lotns-trees, 
In  the  covert  of  the  reed,  and  the  fen. 
The  lotus-trees  cover  him  with  their  shadow  ; 
The  willows  of  the  brook  compass  him  about. 

Behold,  if  a  river  overflow,  he  trembleth  not : 
He  is  confident,  though  Jordan  swell  even  to  his  mouth. 
Shall  any  take  him  when  he  is  on  the  watch, 
Or  pierce  through  his  nose  with  a  snare  ? 

[Silence,  and  whirlwind. 
Canst  thou  draw  out  leviathan  3  with  a  fish-hook  ? 
Or  press  down  his  tongue  with  a  cord  ? 
Canst  thou  put  a  rope  into  his  nose  'I 
Or  pierce  his  jaw  through  with  a  hook  ? 
Will  he  make  many  supplications  unto  thee  ? 

1  See  Act  V,  Scene  1.  2  The  hippopotamus.  3  The  crocodile. 


112  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 

Or  will  he  speak  soft  words  unto  thee  ? 

Will  he  make  a  covenant  with  thee, 

That  thou  shouldest  take  him  for  a  servant  forever? 

Wilt  thou  play  with  him  as  with  a  bird  \ 

Or  wilt  thou  bind  him  for  thy  maidens  ? 

Shall  the  bands  of  fishermen  make  traffic  of  him  ? 

Shall  they  part  him  among  the  merchants  ? 

Canst  thou  fill  his  skin  with  barbed  irons, 

Or  his  head  with  fish-spears  ? 

Lay  thine  hand  upon  him  ; 

Remember  the  battle,  and  do  so  no  more. 

Behold,  the  hope  of  him  is  in  vain  : 
Shall  not  one  be  cast  down  even  at  the  sight  of  him  \ 
None  is  so  fierce  that  he  dare  stir  him  up  : 
Who  then  is  he  that  can  stand  before  me  ? 
Who    hath    first    given    unto    me,   that    I    should   repay 

him  ? 
Whatsoever  is  under  the  whole  heaven  is  mine. 

[Job  does  not  answer. 

I  will  not  keep  silence  concerning  his  limbs, 
Nor  his  mighty  strength,  nor  his  goodly  frame. 

Who  can  strip  off  his  outer  garment  ? 
Who  shall  come  within  his  double  bridle? 
Who  can  open  the  doors  of  his  face  ? 
Hound  about  his  teeth  is  terror. 
His  strong  scales  are  his  pride, 
Shut  up  together  as  with  a  close  seal. 
One  is  so  near  to  another, 
That  no  air  can  come  between  them. 
They  are  joined  one  to  another; 
They  stick  together,  that  they  cannot  be  sundered. 

His  sneezings  flash  forth  light, 


ACT  V.     SCENE  II.  113 


And  his  eyes  are  like  the  eyelids  of  the  morning. 

Out  of  his  mouth  go  burning  torches, 

And  sparks  of  fire  leap  forth. 

Out, of  his  nostrils  a  smoke  goeth, 

As  of  a  seething  pot  and  burning  rushes. 

His  breath  kindleth  coals, 

And  a  flame  goeth  forth  from  his  mouth. 

In  his  neck  abideth  strength, 
And  terror  danceth  before  him. 
The  flakes  of  his  flesh  are  joined  together  : 
They  are  firm  upon  him  ;  they  cannot  be  moved. 
His  heart  is  as  firm  as  a  stone  ; 
Yea,  firm  as  the  nether  millstone. 

When  he  raiseth  himself  up,  the  mighty  are  afraid  : 
By  reason  of  consternation  they  are  beside  themselves. 
If  one  lay  at  him  with  the  sword,  it  cannot  avail ; 
Nor  the  spear,  the  dart,  nor  the  pointed  shaft. 
He  counteth  iron  as  straw, 
And  brass  as  rotten  wood. 
The  arrow  cannot  make  him  flee  : 
Slingstones  are  turned  with  him  into  stubble. 
Clubs  are  counted  as  stubble  : 
He  laugheth  at  the  rushing  of  the  javelin. 

His  underparts  are  like  sharp  potsherds  : 
He  spreadeth  as  it  were  a  threshing  wain  upon  the  mire. 
He  maketh  the  deep  to  boil  like  a  pot : 
He  maketh  the  sea  like  ointment. 
He  maketh  a  path  to  shine  after  him  ; 
One  would  think  the  deep  to  be  hoary. 

Upon  earth  there  is  not  his  like, 
That  is  made  without  fear. 
He  beholdeth  every  thing  that  is  high  : 
He  is  king  over  all  the  sons  of  pride. 
8 


1U  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 

Job.  1 1  know  that  thou  canst  do  all  things, 
And  that  no  purpose  of  thine  can  be  restrained. 
Who  2  is  this  that  hideth  counsel  without  knowledge  ? 
Therefore  have  I  uttered  that  which  I  understood  not, 
Things  too  wonderful  for  me,  which  I  knew  not. 

Hear,  I  beseech  thee,  and  I  will  speak  ; 
I  will  demand  of  thee,  and  declare  thou  unto  me. 
I  had  heard  of  thee  by  the  hearing  of  the  ear  ; 
But  now  mine  eye  seeth  thee, 
Wherefore  I  abhor  myself,  and  repent 
In  dust  and  ashes. 

[Job  prostrates  himself. 

\_Exit  Job. 

1 "  Then  Job  answered  the  Lord,  and  said,"  etc. 
3  As  much  as  to  say,  Ah  truly  !    Who  is  this,  etc. 


ACT  V.     SCENE  III. 


115 


Scene  III.     The  Open  Country. 
Enter  Eliphaz. 

The  Lord.  x  My  wrath  is  kindled  against  thee, 
And  against  thy  two  friends : 
For  ye  have  not  spoken  of  me  the  thing 
That  is  right,  as  my  servant  Job  hath. 

Now  therefore,  take  unto  you 
Seven  bullocks  and  seven  rams, 
And  go  to  my  servant  Job, 
And  offer  for  yourselves  a  burnt-offering ; 
And  my  servant  Job  shall  pray  for  you  ; 
For  him  will  I  accept,  that 


i  "And  it  was  so,  that  after  the  Lord  had  spoken  these  words  unto  Job  [m  Ad 
P,  Scenes  I  and  II]  the  Lord  said  to  Eliphaz  the  Temanite,"  etc. 


116  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 

1  deal  with  you  not  after  your  folly ; 
For  ye  have  not  spoken  of  me  the  thing 
That  is  right,  as  my  servant  Job  hath. 

{Exit  Eliphaz. 

Postlogue. 

So  Eliphaz  the  Temanite  and  Bildad  the  Shuhite  and 
Zophar  the  Naamathite  went,  and  did  according  as  the 
Lord  commanded  them. 

And  the  Lord  turned  the  captivity  of  Job,  when  he 
prayed  for  his  friends :  and  the  Lord  gave  Job  twice  as 
much  as  he  had  before. 


Scene  IV.     JoVs  Dining  Room. 

Brethren,  Sisters,  and  Acquaintance. 

Then  came  there  unto  him  all  his  brethren,  and  all  his 
sisters,  and  all  they  that  had  been  of  his  acquaintance  be- 
fore, and  did  eat  bread  with  him  in  his  house :  and  they 
bemoaned  him,  and  comforted  him  concerning  all  the  evil 
that  the  Lord  had  brought  upon  him :  every  man  also  gave 
him  a  piece  of  money,  and  every  one  a  ring  of  gold. 

[End  of  Act  V. 


EPILOGUE.  117 


EPILOGUE. 

So  the  Lord  blessed  the  latter  end  of  Job  more  than  his 
beginning :  and  he  had  fourteen  thousand  sheep,  and  six 
thousand  camels,  and  a  thousand  yoke  of  oxen,  and  a  thou- 
sand she-asses. 

He  had  also  seven  sons  and  three  daughters.  And  he 
called  the  name  of  the  first,  Jemima  ;  and  the  name  of  the 
second,  Keziah  ;  and  the  name  of  the  third,  Keren-hap- 
puch.  And  in  all  the  land  were  no  women  found  so  fair 
as  the  daughters  of  Job :  and  their  father  gave  them  in- 
heritance among  their  brethren. 

And  after  this  Job  lived  an  hundred  and  forty  years,  and 
saw  his  sons  and  his  sons'  sons,  even  four  generations. 
So  Job  died,  being  old  and  full  of  days. 


APPENDIX     I. 


TEXTUAL  CHANGES. 

The  following  readings,  suggested  by  the  American  Old 
Testament  Revision  Company,  have  been  adopted  in  this 
edition,  displacing  the  readings  of  the  English  Company. 
Both  are  here  given  for  comparison. 

I.     1  For  "eschewed"  read  "turned  away  from" 

6  For  ' '  there  was  a  day  .  .  .  and  Satan  "  read  ' '  it  came  to 

pass  on  the  day  when  .  .  .  that  Satan"     So  in  ii,  1. 
8  For  "  escheweth  "  read  "  turneth  away  from  "     So  in  ii,  3. 
22  For  "with  foolishness"  read  "foolishly",  and  add  marg. 
Or,  attributed  folly  to  God 

III.  4  For  ' '  regard  it  from  above  "  read  ' '  from  above  seek  for  it " 
11  For  "when  I "  etc.  read  "when  my  mother  bare  me  ?  " 

19  For  "great"  read  "the  great1' 

24  For  "roarings"  read  "groanings"  and  add  marg.  "  Heb. 

roarings.'1'' 

IV.  4  For  "confirmed"  read  "made  firm" 

6  Read  "  And  the  integrity  of  thy  ways  thy  hope  ?  " 

VI.     2  Read  in  the  2d  line  "And  all  my  calamity  laid  in  the 
balances !  " 
10  Read  "And  be  it  still  my  consolation, 

Yea,  let  me  exult  in  pain  that  spareth  not,"  etc. 
3d  line.     Substitute  the  marg.  ("  That")  for  the  text, 
13  For    "effectual    working"    read    "wisdom"    and    omit 
marg.     So  in  xii,  16. 

25  Read  "But  your  reproof,  what  doth  it  reprove  ?  " 

26  For  "  imagine  "  read  "  think  " 

VII.     4  Substitute  marg.    ("When  shall  I  arise,  and  the  night   be 
gone  ?  ")  for  the  text. 

7  For  "wind"  read  "a  breath" 

17  For  "  thine  heart"  read  "  thy  mind  " 


APPENDIX  L  119 


V11I.    17  For  "heap  "read  "  stone-heap  " 
IX.   19    Substitute   marg.  (u  If  we  speak   of  strength,  lo,   he  is 
mighty  !  ")  for  the  text. 
For  "who  will  appoint  me  a  time?"  read   "who,  saith 
he,  will  summon  me  ? " 
X.  22  1st  line;  read  "The  land  dark  as  midnight;" 
2d  line;  for  "  A  land"  read  "  The  land  " 
3d  line;  for  "darkness"  read  "midnight"  and  add  marg. 
Heb.  thick  darkness 
XI.     6  For  ' '  That  it "  read  "  For  he  " 

For  "  effectual  working  "  read  "understanding"  and  omit 
marg. 
XII.     4  2d  line;  read  "I  who  called  upon  God  and  he  answered:1' 

23  For  "destroyeth"  read  "he  destroyeth  " 

2d  line;  read  "He  enlargeth  the  nations,  and  he  leadeth 
them  captive  "  and  omit  marg. 

24  For  "the  heart  of"  read  "understanding  from" 

XIII.     8  For  "respect  his  person"  read  "show  partiality  to  him  " 
and  omit  marg. 

10  For  "respect  persons  "  read  "show  partiality "  and  omit 

marg. 

11  For  "excellency"  read  "majesty"     So  in  xxxi,  23. 

15  Read  "Behold,  he  will  slay  me;   I  have  no  hope1'  and 

substitute  the  present  text  for  marg. 

16  Substitute    marg.   ("That")  for  the   text,  substituting  a 

comma  for  the  preceding  semicolon. 

18  For  "ordered  my  cause  "  read  "set  my  cause  in  order1' 

So  in  xxiii,  4. 
27  For  "  drawest  thee  a  line  about "  read  "  settest  a  bound  to  " 
XIV.  10  For  "  wasteth  away"  read  "is  laid  low" 
11  For  "decayeth"  read  "wasteth" 

19  For  "And"  read  "So" 
XV.     8  For  ' '  restrain  "  read  ' '  limit " 

11  2d  line;  read  "Even  the  word  that  is  gentle  toward  thee" 

12  For  "wink"  read  "flash" 

t         27  For  "made  collops  of  fat  on  his  flanks"  read  "gathered 
fat  upon  his  loins  " 
29  Let  marg.   ("their possessions"  etc.)  and  the  text  exchange 
places. 


120  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 

XVII.     2  For  "abideth  in  "  read  "  dwelleth  upon  " 

6  For  "  He  hath  made  me  also  "  read  "But  he  hath  made 
me" 
For    "And  I   am   become   an    open  abhorring"   read 
"And  they  spit  in  my  face "  and  omit  marg. 
XVIII.   12  Let  marg.  ("at  his  side")  and  the  text  exchange  places. 
13  Read  "The  members  of  his  body  shall  be  devoured  " 
XIX.   17  For  "children  of  my  mother's  womb  "  read  "children 
of  mine  own  mother  " 
25,  26  Read 

(25)  ' '  But  as  for  me,  I  know  that  my  redeemer  liveth, 
And  at  last  he  shall  stand  up  upon  the  earth ; 

(26)  And  after  my  skin,  even  this  body,  is  destroyed, 
Then  without  my  flesh  shall  I  see  God: " 

and  put  the  present  text  of  ver.  26  in  tlip  margin. 

27  For  "  Whom  I "  read  "Whom  I,  even  I," 

Let   marg.    ("on  my   side")   and   the   text    exchange 

places. 
Substitute  marg.  ("as  a  stranger")  for  the  text. 

28  Substitute  marg.  ("And  that")  for  the  text. 
XXL   14  For  "Yet  they  said"  read  "And  they  say" 

21  Omit  "in  the  midst" 

32  For  "And  shall  keep  "  read  "  And  men  shall  keep  " 
XXII.   14  Substitute  marg.  ("on  the  vault")  for  the  text. 
XXIV.     4  For  "hide  themselves  together"  read  "  all  hide  them- 
selves " 
10  For  "an-hungred"  read  "hungry" 
12  For  "imputeth  it  not  for  folly"  read   "regardeth  not 
the  folly  " 
XXVIII.     4  Omit  <  <  that  passeth  by  " 

17  For  "  the  exchange  thereof  be"  read  "it  be  exchanged 

for" 
XXIX.     6  For  "rivers  "read  "streams" 
XXXI.     2  For  "of  God  from  above "  read  "from  God  above " 

For  "of  the  Almighty  from  on  high"  read  "from  the 

Almighty  on  high  " 

18  For  ' '  I  have  been  her  guide  "  read  ' '  her  have  I  guided  " 
31  For  " satisfied "  read  "filled" 

For  "flesh"  read  "meat"     Omit  marg. 


APPENDIX  I.  121 


XXXII.   19  For  "belly"  read  "breast"  and  omit  marg. 
XXXIV.   29  Transpose  "alike  "  to  the  beginning  of  the  line. 
XXXV.     G  1st  line;  for  "  doest "  read  "effected  " 
XXXVI.   18  Read  "For  let  not  wrath  stir  thee  up  against  chastise- 
ments "  and  put  the  present  text  iji  the  marg. 
XXXVII.     t  For  "  At  this  also  "  read  "Yea,  at  this  " 

2  For  "  Hearken  ye  unto"  read  "  Hear,  oh,  hear" 
21  For  "  cleanseth  "  read  "  eleareth  " 
XXXVin.  10  For  "prescribed  for  it  my  decree"  read  "marked  out 
for  it  my  bound  "  and  omit  marg. 

18  For  "the  breadth  of  the  earth"  read  "the  earth  in  its 

breadth" 
30  Read  "hide  themselves  and  become  like  stone  " 
41  For  "food  "read  "prey" 
XXXIX.     5  2d  line;  For  "  wild  ass"  read  "swift  ass" 

13  For  "wing  .  .  .  rejoiceth"  read  "wings  .  .  .  wave 
proudly  " 
2d  line,  read  "  But  are  they  the  pinions  and  plumage 
of  love  ? "  with  marg.  to  "  love  "     Or,  a  stork 
16  Let  marg.   ("dealeth  hardly  with ")  and  the  text  ex- 
change places. 
28  Read  "On  the  cliff  she  dwelleth  and  maketh  her  home, 
Upon  the  point  of  the  cliff,"  etc. 
XL.  15  For  "with"  read  "as  well  as"  and  add  marg.  Heb. 
with 

19  For  "  can  make  his  sword  to  approach  vnto  him  "  read 

"giveth  him  his  sword  "  and  omit  marg. 
XLI.  12  For  "comely  proportion"  read  "goodly  frame" 
18  For  "neesings"  read  "sneezings" 


APPENDIX  II, 


A  BIBLIOGRAPHY  OF  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB. 

BY   REV.    B.    G.    AYRES 

(Assistant  Librarian  in  Drew  Theological  Seminary). 

This  brief  Bibliography  does  not  profess  to  be  exhaustive, 
although  the  endeavor  has  been  to  make  the  list  of  English 
versions  as  nearly  complete  as  is  possible. 

I.— VERSIONS  AND   PARAPHRASES. 

Bellamy,  D.     A  Paraphrase  of  Job.     4to.     London,  1748. 

Brett,  Arthur.  Patientia  Victrix ;  or,  The  Boole  of  Job  in  Ly rick 
Verse.     lGmo.     London,  1661. 

Carey,  C.  P.  The  Book  of  Job  Translated,  Explained  by  Notes, 
and  Illustrated  by  Extracts  from  Works  on  Antiquities,  Science,  etc. 
Royal  8vo.     1858.     The  notes  are  critical  and  exegetical. 

Coleman,  J.  N.  The  Book  of  Job;  from  the  Hebrew,  with 
notes.     4to.     London,  I860. 

Conant,  T.  J.,  D.D.  The  Book  of  Job.  A  Translation  from  the 
Original  Hebrew.  4to.  New  York,  1S07.  This  is  the  American 
Union  Version. 

Fry,  JonN.  A  New  Translation  and  Exposition  of  the  Book  of 
Job,  with  Notes.     8vo.     London,  1837. 

Garden,  Charles,  D.D.  An  Improved  Metrical  Version  of  the 
Book  of  Job,  with  Preliminary  Dissertation  and  Notes.  8vo.  Ox- 
ford, 1796. 

Genung,  John  F.  The  Epic  of  the  Inner  Life.  Being  the  Book 
of  Job  Translated  Anew.      16mo.     Boston,  1890. 

Good,  John  Mason,  M.D.,  F.R.S.  The  Book  of  Job  Literally 
Translated,  with  Notes,  etc.     8vo.     London,  1812. 

Lee,  Samuel,  D.D.  The  Book  of  Job  Translated,  with  Intro- 
duction and  Commentary.     8vo.     London,  1837. 


APPENDIX  II.  123 


No  yes,  G.  R.  A  New  Translation  of  the  Book  of  Job,  with 
Notes.     12mo.     Boston,  n.  d. 

Scott,  Thomas.  The  Book  of  Job  in  English  Verse,  with  Re- 
marks.    4to.     London,  1771. 

Senault,  J.  F.  A  Paraphrase  on  the  Book  of  Job.  4to.  Lon- 
don, 1648. 

Stather,  Lieutenant-Colonel  W.  C.  The  Book  of  Job  in 
English  Verse,  with  Notes.     12mo.     London,  1859. 

Stock,  Joseph,  D.D.  The  Book  of  Job  Metrically  Arranged 
and  Newly  Translated,  with  Notes.     4to.     London,  1805. 

Umbreit,  D.  F.  W.  New  Version  of  the  Book  of  Job,  with  Ex- 
pository Notes.     2  vols.     12mo.     Edinburgh,  1836. 

Wemys,  Thomas.  Job  and  His  Times.  A  New  Version  with 
Notes.  8vo.  London,  1839.  The  best  part  of  this  book  is  the 
review  of  the  "  State  of  the  Arts  and  Sciences  in  Job's  Day." 

II.— COMMENTARIES. 

Caryl,  Joseph.  Exposition  of  the  Book  of  Job,  with  Practical 
Observations.  12  vols.,  4to.  1648.  Also  in  2  vols.,  folio.  1676. 
This  is  the  most  exhaustive  work  on  the  subject.  An  abridged  edi- 
tion was  published  at  Edinburgh  in  1836. 

Cheyne,  T.  K.     Job  and  Solomon.     12mo.     New  York,  1887. 

Croly,  G.     The  Book  of  Job.     12mo.     Edinburgh,  1863. 

Curry,  Daniel,  D.D.,  LL.D.  The  Book  of  Job.  12mo.  New 
York,  1887. 

Davidson,  A.  B.  A  Commentary  on  Job,  Grammatical  and  Exe- 
getical,  with  a  Translation.  8vo.  London,  1862.  This,  though  not 
as  exhaustive  as  Caryl,  for  practical  purposes  is  the  best  of  all.  It  is 
thoroughly  critical. 

Ewald,  H.  Commentary  on  the  Book  of  Job.  Translated  by 
Rev.  J.  F.  Smith.     8vo.     London,  1882. 

Hutcheson,  George.  An  Exposition  upon  Job.  Being  the  sum 
of  three  hundred  and  sixteen  lectures.  Folio.  London,  1669. 
Spurgeon  says  that  this  book  is  a  very  helpful  one. 

Peters,  Charles.  A  Critical  Dissertation  on  the  Book  of  Job. 
4to.     London,  1751. 

Thomas,  Rev.  D.  Problemati  Mundi :  The  Book  of  Job  Exe- 
getically  and  Practically  Considered.     8vo.     London,  1879. 


124  THE  OLDEST  DRAMA  IN  THE  WORLD. 

Van  Hagen,  Mrs.  Henry.  Evenings  in  the  Land  of  Uz  :  A 
Comment  on  Job.     Second  edition,   12mo.     London,  1843. 

See  also  in  the  collected  commentaries  of  Barnes,  Benson,  Calvin, 
Clarke,  Cowles,  Delitzsch,  Scott,  and  Wesley ;  as  well  as  in  the  Bible 
Commentary  and  the  Pulpit  Commentary. 

III.— ESSAYS. 

Carlyle,  Thomas.  Heroes  and  Hero  Worship.  12mo.  New 
York,  1849.     Lecture  II,  p.  44. 

Floy,  Rev.  James,  D.D.  Old  Testament  Characters.  12mo. 
New  York,  1866.     Pp.  314-342. 

Froude,  James  A.  Short  Studies  on  Great  Subjects.  Vol.  i,  pp. 
228-274.     12mo.     New  York,  1868. 

Gilfillan,  George.  The  Bards  of  the  Bible.  12mo.  New  York, 
1851.     Chapter  V,  Poetry  of  the  Book  of  Job. 

Green,  W.  H.  The  Arguments  of  the  Book  of  Job  Unfolded. 
12mo.  New  York,  1874.  Chapter  II  discusses  Satan.  The  book 
closes  with  an  analysis. 

Hodges,  Walter.  Elihu :  An  Inquiry  into  the  Scope  and  Design 
of  the  Book  of  Job.  4to.  London,  1750.  12mo,  3d  edition,  1756. 
He  tries  to  show  that  Job  is  a  type  of  the  Saviour,  and  that  Elihu 
was  the  Son  of  God  himself. 

Kitto,  John.  ' '  Job  and  the  Poetical  Books "  in  daily  Bible 
illustrations. 

IV.— SERMONS. 

Calvin,  John.  Sermons  on  the  Book  of  Job.  Translated  out  of 
the  French  by  A.  Golding.  Folio.  London,  1584.  Not  the  same 
as  the  Commentary. 

Evans,  A.  B.  Lectures  on  the  Book  of  Job.  8vo.  London,  1856. 
Sermons  on  fourteen  single  verses  from  different  parts  of  the  book. 

Hulbert,  A.  C.     Sermons.     12mo.     London,  1853. 

Wagner,  George.  Sermons  on  the  Book  of  Job.  Crown,  8vo. 
London,  1863. 


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